Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 8 September 2022
1042. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Education the status of progress and the timelines for the delivery of new school accommodation for schools (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44237/22]
View answerThe current status of the building projects referred to by the Deputy are as follows:
Scoil Chronáin RN 19530H
The permanent school building project for Scoil Chrónáin has been assigned to my Department’s Design & Build delivery programme. This delivery programme uses a professional external Project Manager to progress the project through the relevant stages of architectural planning, tender and construction.
The planning application for Scoil Chrónáin was submitted to the local authority on the 18th August 2021 and the final grant of planning permission issued on 24th November 2021.
My Department is considering the timeline for the progression to tender of a number of Design & Build projects including the permanent accommodation for the school referred to by the Deputy and will advise the school's patron body further as soon as possible. In the interim, my Department will continue to liaise with the school's patron body in relation to the school’s accommodation needs pending delivery of the permanent accommodation.
St Thomas JNS & Scoil Áine SNS, Lucan RN 19542R & 19676P
The joint major building project for St Thomas JNS & Scoil Áine SNS will be delivered under my Department's ADAPT Programme.
ADAPT is an acronym which stands for the "Accelerated Delivery of Architectural Planning and Tendering".
The ADAPT Programme uses a professional external Project Manager to co-ordinate and drive the Design Team to achieve the best possible timeframe for the project through the stages of Architectural Planning to Tender and Construction.
Since their appointment in May 2022, the Project Managers and my Department have been engaging in fortnightly briefing meetings in respect of all the major school building projects included in this Programme, including St Thomas JNS & Scoil Áine SNS in Lucan.
The Project Managers are arranging to visit each of the schools on the Programme.
The process to appoint a Design Team will shortly be put in train by the Project Manager.
Divine Mercy JNS 19865S & SNS RN 20187H
The joint major building project for Divine Mercy Jnr & Snr schools is currently at an advanced stage of architectural planning Stage 2(b) – Detailed Design. The Design Team are currently preparing a revised Stage 2(b) Submission including a new Planning Permission application which will include for the recently approved addition of a 2 Class SEN Base for both schools.
Upon receipt and review of the revised submission, my Department will be in contact with the schools regarding the further progression of this project, including pre-qualification of contractors.
Gaelscoil Chluain Dolcain (RN 19855P) & Gaelscoil na Camogie (RN 19991A)
The Large Scale Capital Project for the Clondalkin Schools Campus is currently at the tender stage. The project brief is for two 16 classroom primary schools and a new PE Hall for Coláiste Chilliain.
My Department authorised the Design Team to proceed to retender the project as the first tranche of tenders were deemed unviable. The Design Team applied for a new planning permission due to a change in the Planning Acts introduced by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage in Sept 2021 which removed the option to extend a planning permission. The original planning permission expired in May 2022. A new planning application was lodged 18th August 2022 and will run in parallel with the new tender process.
Rathcoole ETNS RN 20549P
The permanent school building project for Rathcoole ETNS has been assigned to my Department’s Design & Build delivery programme. This delivery programme uses a professional external Project Manager to progress the project through the relevant stages of architectural planning, tender and construction.
The school and its patron body were advised by my Department in August 2021 that it would not be possible to proceed at that time with the proposed planning application for the school as South Dublin County Council had advised my Department of its intention to undertake a masterplan of the Rathcoole area, including the proposed school site.
The Council has concluded the masterplanning exercise and following consultation with the Council, my Department intends to proceed with a planning application for the school on the existing Department owned site.
A further pre-planning meeting with the Council was held on 30th June 2022 and the discussions from this meeting will now inform the progression of the design and the preparation of the planning application for Rathcoole ETNS on the school’s permanent site.
My Department will continue to provide suitable interim accommodation for the school until such time as the permanent accommodation can be delivered.
