Sorca Clarke (Longford-Westmeath, Sinn Fein)
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315. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she is aware that the planning permission for the new school building for a school (details supplied) is set to expire in 2025; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21516/24]

Sorca Clarke (Longford-Westmeath, Sinn Fein)
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316. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if her Department has initiated the process of renewing planning permission at a location (details supplied). [21517/24]

Sorca Clarke (Longford-Westmeath, Sinn Fein)
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317. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if the construction of a building for a school (details supplied) is not completed within the previously communicated timeline, if there are contingency plans in place for accommodation during the 2025-2026 academic year. [21518/24]

Sorca Clarke (Longford-Westmeath, Sinn Fein)
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318. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she will take all of the necessary steps in her power to help speed up the construction of the permanent building for a school (details supplied). [21519/24]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 315, 316, 317 and 318 together.

Since 2020, my Department has invested in the region of €4.5 billion in our schools throughout the country, involving the completion of over 800 school building projects. Construction is currently underway at approximately 300 other projects, which includes 31 new school buildings. Projects at construction involve a total State investment of over €1.2bn.

This level of construction roll-out recognises the priority that Government puts on investment in education, including responding to the increased requirement for special education provision.

The school referred to by the deputy is part of my Department's construction programme and will be delivered as part of a campus project with Coláiste Rioga. The campus project will provide a new 8 classroom primary school and accommodation, including 2 classrooms for children with special educational needs and a new 1,000 pupil post-primary school and accommodation, including 4 classrooms, for children with special educational needs.

The project currently has planning permission and will, along with a number of other projects, be brought to the level of employer-led design with a Design Team assigned to do so under the supervision of the Department’s project manager. The process of appointing the Design Team from the Department’s Frameworks of Consultants was completed in September 2023 and the project is currently close to completion of Stage 2(b) of the architectural design process.

Stage 2(b) involves detailed design and the preparation of tender documentation. The next stage, subject to relevant Stage 2(b) approvals, will be Stage 3, tender stage. Projects are subject to relevant due diligence at each stage in the process, within the context of overall programme and budgetary parameters.

The Department is in ongoing discussions with Dunshaughlin GAA regarding the school continuing to operate on their grounds in interim accommodation. Officials from the Department are working on proposals to provide additional accommodation to meet the school’s requirements for September 2024 and 2025 on their current site.

My Department will continue to keep the school and patron body updated in relation to progress.