Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 17 October 2019
10. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Education and Skills if the project brief for a school redevelopment project at a school (details supplied) has been finalised; when the brief will proceed to the next stage; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42602/19]
View answerIt has been almost four years since the then Government committed to extending Coláiste Ghobnatán i mBaile Bhúirne. The school population has continued to grow. As a member of the board of management, I could see there was little apparent progress as we waited for Department approval, although that was until recent days. While approval has been granted, which is a timely and good opportunity to move matters along, time is tight. Will the Minister outline the next steps in the process to bring the extension to fruition?
Gabhaim buíochas leis an Teachta as an cheist. Tuigim go bhfuil an Ghaeilge i gceist sa scoil sin. Bhí muid ag labhairt tríd an Ghaeilge arú inné.
I am pleased to inform the Deputy the building project for the school is in the process of being devolved for delivery to Cork Education and Training Board, CETB. My Department has engaged with the school on developing the project brief. The execution of a service level agreement between my Department and CETB, which is being arranged, will be the last step in finalising the brief. It is also the first step in moving the project into the design phase and can be expected to be completed soon. Once the service level agreement is in place, CETB will procure a design team for the project to design the buildings and obtain the necessary statutory planning permissions. It will then move the project through the design phases to tender and construction in due course.
Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire. Toisc go bhfuil sé thart ar cheithre bhliain ó rinneadh an gealltanas sin, tá an-chuid ama caillte idir an dá linn gan puinn dul chun cinn. Tá breis brú ar an scoil. Tá an tinreamh ag fás an t-am ar fad. Feictear i measc an phobail, go háirithe sna bunscoileanna sa cheantar, go bhfuil borradh ar an daonra agus go mbeidh an slua sin ag teacht isteach sa scoil go gairid, thar ceann dhá bhliain. Tá an-chuid acu tagtha cheana féin. An féidir leis an Aire clár ama a leagadh amach don síneadh seo? Cathain a bheidh sé ar fáil? Tá brú ar an scoil cheana féin. An mbeidh sé ullamh nuair a bheidh an slua mór sin tagtha isteach? Cé chomh tapa a tharlóidh sé? Toisc go raibh moill ceithre bhliain ann cheana féin, an féidir é seo a leagadh síos mar cheann de na pointí príomha agus prioritising a dhéanamh ar Choláiste Ghobnatán chun é a bhrú ar aghaidh go tapa?
Níl an tiomantas i gceist. Tá dul chun cinn déanta. Táimid ag fanacht anois ar an chéad chéim eile - an togra a bhogadh ar aghaidh go dtí an próiseas pleanála. Is é sin an bhealach is fearr agus is é sin an cloch choirnéil is tábhachtaí ó thaobh an phróisis. Níl mé in ann gealltanas a thabhairt go mbeidh sé ullamh i Meán Fómhair nó in aon mhí eile, ach tá dul chun cinn déanta. Níl aon deacrachtaí ann faoi láthair. Gabhaim aitheantas don fhoireann uilig i mo Roinn atá ceangailte leis an obair thábhachtach ar an scoil seo. Geallaim inniu go mbeidh mé ag coinneáil an bhrú ar an phróiseas sin. Bhí mo chomhghleacaí, an Teachta Creed, i dteagmháil liom faoin togra seo araon leis an Teachta Moynihan. Tá sé i gceist dul ar aghaidh chuig an chéad chéim eile. Is é an próiseas pleanála an rud is tábhachtaí. Tá sé sin socraithe anois. Bogfaimid ar aghaidh ina dhiaidh sin.
Tá sé sin go breá.
