Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 25 March 2021
112. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Education the progress made to date on the development of a new school further to correspondence (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16236/21]
View answerThe major building project for Scoil an Chroi Naofa Ballinasloe is currently at an advanced stage of architectural planning - Stage 2(b) which includes the application for statutory approvals and the preparation of tender documents. Planning permission was secured for this project in 2011. In October 2016 an extension to planning was secured which expires in November, 2021. While planning permission is in place, there have been a number of delays associated with this project and it is likely at this stage that a new planning application will be necessary.
My Department met with representatives of the school on 25th February, 2021, at their request, to discuss the options available to the School to progress this project. My Department advised the School of the options available to them and the School Authorities are to consider the options and revert to the Department.
At the meeting my officials also requested the School Authorities to send the revised Stage 2(b) Report, which has been forwarded to them by their Design Team for sign off in November 2020 to the Department with the School’s comments for the Department’s consideration. This revised Stage 2(b) Report has since been received by the Department. My officials will proceed to review the revised Stage 2(b) report and will revert to the school with its comments shortly.
