Schools Building Projects

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 11 February 2021

Thursday, 11 February 2021

Questions (153)

John McGuinness

Question:

153. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Education the progress being made, relative to the funding required, on a building project at a school (details supplied); if the additional costs caused by the conditions attached to the planning permission will be approved; the number of meetings held between her Department and the school relative to the overall costs of the project since planning permission was granted; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7672/21]

Written answers

Minister for Education

I can confirm to the Deputy that the school referred to has been approved for a project under my Department's Additional Accommodation Scheme 2015. This project will provide for one mainstream classrooms with en-suite, a WC for assisted user and one SET room.

This project has been devolved for delivery to the school authority. This project was approved to go to Planning in June 2019. The planning received had onerous conditions attached which were outside the remit of the additional accommodation scheme and the school were informed to appeal to An Bord Pleanála. The planning decision was upheld following this appeal.

My Department has been in contact with the school recently with a view to progressing this project. The school has been requested to submit information pertaining to the relevant planning conditions to the Department for review. Upon receipt and review, a virtual meeting between the Department and the school may be arranged if necessary to progress the project.