Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 21 March 2012
150 Deputy Olivia Mitchell asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will clarify when a school (details supplied) in Dublin 16 will go to construction as it was understood that this school was sanctioned to complete tender documents and go to construction; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15351/12]
View answerIn view of the need to ensure that every child has access to a school place, the delivery of major school projects to meet the demographic demands nationally will be the main focus for capital investment in schools in the coming years. The five year programme announced recently is focused on meeting those demographic needs. In that context, it was not possible to advance all applications for capital funding concurrently.
The building project for the school referred to by the Deputy is currently at an advanced stage of architectural planning. The Design Team are currently working on Stage 2(b) of Architectural Planning which includes Planning Permission, Fire Certificate and Disability Access Certificate (DAC). Although Planning Permission has been granted by the Local Authority, this is now subject to a number of third party appeals to An Bord Pleanála.
School building projects currently in architectural planning, including the project referred to by the Deputy, will continue to be advanced incrementally over time within the context of the funding available. However, in light of current competing demands on the Department's capital budget, it is not possible to progress this project to tender and construction at this time.
151 Deputy Olivia Mitchell asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will clarify when the special schools (details supplied) in County Dublin will go to construction in view of the fact that the principals were under the impression that they would go to construction at the end of this year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15352/12]
View answerThe building project for the schools referred to by the Deputy is currently at an early stage of architectural planning. The Stage 2(a) submission (developed sketch scheme) was recently submitted to my Department and is being examined. Assuming no issues arise with the stage 2(a) submission, the next step for the project will be progression to stage 2(b) which includes the applications for planning permission, fire cert and disability access cert and then the completion of tender documents. Thereafter a tender process for the selection of a building contractor will be necessary.
This project was included in the five year programme announced recently and is listed to proceed to construction in 2014/2015.
