Darren O'Rourke (Meath East, Sinn Fein)
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34. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills for an update on building works at a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23828/24]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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The major building project for the school referred to by the Deputy is being delivered as part of my Department’s ADAPT Programme.

The ADAPT Programme uses a professional external Project Manager to achieve the best possible timeframe for the project through the stages of Architectural Planning to Tender and Construction.

The major building project is currently at Stage 2(b) of Architectural Planning - Detailed Design - where the Design Team make their applications for statutory approvals and prepare the suite of tender documents. Due to changes in the scope of the project, the design team are seeking approval for a new grant of planning permission from the local authority. The design team have also revised the design to include decarbonisation, in line with Climate Action targets.

Upon receipt and review of a revised Stage 2(b) submission, the Department will contact the School and its Design Team regarding the further progression of the project.

Until the statutory approvals have been secured, it is difficult to provide a timeframe for this project to progress to tender and construction stages.

Darren O'Rourke (Meath East, Sinn Fein)
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35. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills for an update on building works at a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23827/24]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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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.