Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 9 September 2021
562. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Education if she will intervene and seek an urgent resolution to the matters halting the progression of a school building project (details supplied) in County Dublin. [42334/21]
View answer563. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Education if potential funding streams have been explored by her Department to address the matters that have arisen in the course of progressing a school building project (details supplied) in County Dublin. [42335/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 562 and 563 together.
The major building project for the school referred to by the Deputy is currently 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.
Planning permission was secured for this project in May 2020 on the basis of a proposed amended Right of Way in favour of the neighbouring property owners referred to by the Deputy.
Discussions have been ongoing with the neighbouring property owner for a considerable time with a view to finalising an agreement in respect of the proposed amended Right of Way and matters arising from the abuttal of the two buildings.
One matter remains outstanding which relates to the relocation of an air vent on the side of the neighbouring property. A feasibility report has been carried out by the Department’s Design Team, presenting two options to address the issue. However, these options have been rejected by the neighbouring property owner. Their proposal is that a new boiler should be installed on its property and that the Department of Education should pay the full cost of this.
The Deputy will appreciate that while my Department is willing to make reasonable accommodations in respect of the vent, my Department does not accept that it should carry the full cost of a new boiler house for the neighbour.
The Design Team is currently working on the completion of the Stage 2(b) report, for the school building project, which upon completion will be submitted to the Department for review.
My Department issued correspondence to the neighbour via their solicitor outlining that the proposal for a new boiler house is not acceptable as it goes much further than dealing with the issue of the air vent and requesting that they revert to the Department by 10th September with proposals in respect of vent issue only, which the Department will ask its Design Team to review and if necessary convene a meeting. In tandem my Department asked the School’s design team to also explore any other options in respect of the vent. The neighbour has recently reverted in correspondence via their solicitor seeking a meeting between both parties Design Teams to endeavour to find a workable solution. My Department is liaising with the School's Design Team to arrange this meeting in the near future.
The school building project has been delayed by both the right of way and the resolution of the vent issues. My Department has been in continuous engagement with the neighbouring property with a view to progressing the school building project. As the Deputy will appreciate the school building project will provide a new 16 Classroom School and my Department is committed to progressing this project as quickly as possible.
