Micheál Carrigy (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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291. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the status of the building project for the provision of one additional mainstream classroom at a school (details supplied) in County Galway; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27103/25]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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The school referred to by the Deputy was approved to enter the Department’s pipeline of school buildings for a project to provide one mainstream classroom. The project was devolved to the school authority for delivery.

A school building project has four points within the design and delivery process where approval from the Department to move to the succeeding stage is mandatory.

These stages are:

1. At stage 2(a) - developed design stage - before applying for planning permission;

2. Immediately where a notice of intention to grant Planning Permission/Fire Cert/Disability Access Cert issues from the Local Authority with onerous conditions as these may be the subject of an appeal to An Bord Pleanála;

3. Before seeking tenders for the project

4. Before accepting a tender/placing a contract and commencing construction.

Outside of the stages above the school were also required to adhere to.

• the Department's Technical Guidance Document particularly TGD 007 Design Team Procedures for Small Works, which outlines how the project is to be delivered,
• the statutory requirements in relation to planning permission, BCAR, Health and Safety etc.,
• the procurement procedures in relation to the appointment of a consultant and contractor.