Dáil Éireann Debate, Monday - 11 September 2023
715. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Education to provide an update on the capital delivery of a building extension at a secondary school (details supplied) in County Mayo; the current stages completed and outstanding within the project life cycle for delivery of this permanent building; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38804/23]
View answerI am pleased to advise the Deputy that approval for additional bespoke modular accommodation comprising of 7 x 60m2 mainstream classrooms, 5 x Special Education Tuition rooms, 1 x Art room, 1 x Science room + prep area together with the reconfiguration of an existing space to provide accommodation for a Special Educational Needs class has issued to the School Authority in question. The Special Educational Needs classroom is due for handover to the School Authority next week.
The project is being delivered under my Department’s Devolved SEN Reconfiguration and Modular Accommodation programme. This programme provides project management supports to enable the accommodation to be provided as quickly as possible and helps to ease the administrative workload for individual schools in relation to the management and delivery of the project.
The use of my Department's Modular Accommodation Framework also assists in ensuring lead in periods for procurement of modular accommodation are minimised to the greatest extent possible.
The overall construction sector environment is challenging and my Department and the Project Management Company are doing everything possible to ensure that modular accommodation is delivered as quickly as possible. My Department is fully aware of the urgency in respect of same and will be working with the School Authority to keep it updated on overall project delivery and timelines.
The modular project, at the school in question, is progressing as per programme. The overall modular design is agreed with the necessary statutory applications expected to be lodged over the next fortnight, with the contractor expected to commence on site in late September. The School Authority has overall responsibility for the delivery of this project.
