Robert Dowds
Question:560. Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for Education and Skills if she will provide an update and timescale for the extension works for Lucan Community College, Lucan, County Dublin. [33437/15]
View answerTuesday, 29 September 2015
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Written answers
The building project referred to by the Deputy is included in the Five Year Construction Programme to proceed to Tender and Construction. The original design team appointed to the project had reached completion of Stage 1 of Architectural Planning. As part of that work and following an assessment of the current accommodation, it was agreed by the Department that extensive additional refurbishment works to the existing school will also be required. The Department approved a significant increase in the scope of works for the project to incorporate those refurbishment works. Arising from this expansion in the scope of works it was necessary to commence a tender exercise for the appointment of a new design team to take the project forward from this point. This process, which was conducted by the ETB, was completed and the new Design Team have been authorised to proceed to Stage 2(a) of Architectural Planning, which is the developed Design Stage. Earlier this year, the Department met with officials from the ETB regarding progression of the project. Following this meeting, further information was requested from the ETB and its Design Team, which is currently under review by my Department. Upon successful completion of Stage 2(a) the project will progress to complete Stage 2(b), Detailed Design, which includes the application for Statutory approvals and the preparation of Tender Documents for Contractors. Following completion of stage 2(b) the project will then be progressed to tender and construction. However, until such time as planning permission has been secured and the project has progressed to and completed tender stage, it will not be possible to provide an indicative timeframe for the completion of the construction stage of the project.