Schools Building Projects

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 4 October 2022

Tuesday, 4 October 2022

Questions (404)

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn

Question:

404. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Education further to Parliamentary Question No. 1012 of 14 June 2022, the reason no update on the plans for new school buildings and no indication of the need to reapply for planning permission was confirmed to this Deputy, as it has been in the recent response in Parliamentary Question No. 282 of 27 September 2022, despite the changes to the planning Acts being introduced in September 2021 and a period of nine months having elapsed with no action taken that has now led to at least a one-year delay in the project. [48590/22]

Written answers

Minister for Education

At the time of Parliamentary Question No 1012, the building project referred to by the Deputy was at an advanced stage of the tender process with a recommended bidder identified. That bidder subsequently assessed their tender in light of the increase in inflation and advised they could not commit.

At the time of answering Parliamentary Question No 1012, the Department had not been informed by the Design Team of the need to re-apply for Planning Permission. The Design Team informed the Department of this at a later date when they became aware of the requirement after they had liaised with Donegal County Council in relation to an application regarding temporary accommodation for the school.