Robert Troy
Question:171. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Education to provide an update on a number of schools projects (details supplied). [7006/24]
View answerWednesday, 14 February 2024
Questions (171)
Written answers
The Deputy refers to a number of schools which are being dealt with under various schemes within My Department. I will firstly deal with the Emergency Works Scheme and in this regard, an application from St. Brigid's National School for works to the drains together with an extension housing a new disabled access toilet was made under the Emergency Works Scheme (EWS). Since the application was made the school have withdrawn the application for the disabled access toilet . The EWS operates on the basis of a minimal scope of works and, as such, the school were advised to submit a revised scope of works and an accompanying fully Itemised Cost Breakdown based on a drain survey. My Department is currently awaiting all of this information which, once received, will be assessed by the EWS team. My Department is aware of the urgent nature of these works and will keep the school informed throughout the process.
With regard to the Additional School Accommodation projects a brief synopsis on each is as follows:
Columba College Killucan - Approval to Proceed to Stage 2a issued to the LWETB for this project in January 2024.
Wilsons Hospital - As previously advised by my Department to the Deputy, the delay caused on this project was from the non-submission of the Stage 1 report by the Design Team of the school and not by the Department. This has now been submitted and acknowledgement of receipt was sent by the Department on the 29/01/24.
Mullingar Community College - Modular units are on site and occupied.
The projects to which the Deputy refers to in Moate and Castlepollard have been devolved to the National Development Finance Agency (NDFA) for delivery as part of a programme of school building projects. These schools are in the bundle referred to as Project Dargle.
The projects are currently at Stage 2b of the architectural planning process, the Design Team are currently working on obtaining the necessary statutory planning approvals.
While at this early stage it is not possible to provide details or a timeline for completion of the projects, the NDFA will be engaging directly with the school authorities to keep it informed of progress.