Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 21 March 2023
706. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Education further to Parliamentary Question No. 142 of 8 March 2023, if she will provide additional information (details supplied) pertaining to the cost of the project to date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13185/23]
View answerThe project for school mentioned by the Deputy is in early architectural planning which involves site surveys, school design stages and the preparation of statutory applications.
It is anticipated that the planning application for the permanent school referred to by the Deputy will be lodged in Q2 2023.
My Department must then await a decision on planning from the local authority. A notification to grant planning can be received after 8 weeks, although there is an opening for the Local Authority to request further information (RFI). There is always also the possibility of an appeal to An Bord Pleanála (ABP).
As with any school building project progressing to tender, this can only occur once planning has been secured. Tender processes are currently taking approximately 8 to 10 months. Details of the current estimated cost for construction of the permanent school would be commercially sensitive prior to a tender exercise and award of a contract.
My Department can confirm that a contribution of €40,000 was paid to the local authority in relation to footpaths in May 2021.
