Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 22 November 2023
78. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Education to provide urgent clarification on the timeline for the construction and handover of the new three-school campus at Buncrana, County Donegal, in response to recent media reports that this long-delayed and vital project will not be completed until 2030; and if she will honour the previously-made commitments to fast-track this project. [51162/23]
View answerAs the Deputy is aware, the building project referred to has been devolved for delivery to Donegal Education and Training Board (DETB).
The Design Team is currently progressing through Stage 1 of the architectural planning process, which involves developing options for both school buildings. DETB will submit a Stage 1 report to the Department once all viable options for the site have been assessed in full.
Project progression through the various stages of architectural design, planning, procurement and construction varies from project to project. Project size and complexity, site conditions and statutory requirements and approvals all have a significant bearing on project timelines.
As this project is at an early stage in the delivery process, it is not possible at this time to give a date for its completion. It should, however, be noted that a school is ready for occupation at the end of construction (Stage 4) and not at the end of Stage 5 (final account) as indicated in the media report. As the delivery body for the project, DETB is engaging directly with the school community to keep it informed of progress.
