Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 8 October 2019
75. Deputy Declan Breathnach asked the Minister for Education and Skills the reason a major school building project (details supplied) is stuck at stage 2b detailed design since December 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40611/19]
View answerThe major building project for the school to which the Deputy refers is at an advanced stage of architectural planning, Stage 2(b) - Detailed Design, which includes the applications for Planning Permission, Fire Cert and Disability Access Cert and the preparation of tender documents. All statutory approvals have been obtained.
My Department understands from the Design Team Leader that delays were encountered in securing the Fire Safety Cert (FSC) and the Disability Access Cert (DAC). A decision on both these applications had been expected from Louth County Council in December 2017. A decision on the FSC and DAC were finally granted on the 10th and 12th April 2018 respectively.
My Department recently received the Stage 2(b) Submission for this project which is currently under review.
The Deputy will appreciate that the stage 2(b) submission is a detailed and complex set of documents including all tender documents. It is an extremely vital part in the design process and is the final step prior to my Department issuing authorisation to proceed to tender for the construction of the school building. The review by my Department of a Stage 2(b) submission would normally take at least 10 to 12 weeks for review and approval.
Upon review of this report my Department will revert to Board of Management with regard to the further progression of the project.
