Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 6 March 2024
96. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Education if she will provide an update on the development of a new school site to accommodate schools (details supplied); if tenders have been awarded; when the new schools will be operational; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11036/24]
View answerThe school campus building project on the site referred to by the Deputy is included in my Department’s Construction Programme and will deliver a new 1,000 pupil post-primary school and accommodation, including 6 classrooms, for children with special educational needs and a new 8 classroom primary school and accommodation, including 2 classrooms, for children with special educational needs.
My Department has received a request for a review of the accommodation brief for the primary school referred to by the Deputy and this is currently being examined. My Department expects to be back in contact with the patron on this matter shortly.
The project will be delivered under my Department's ADAPT Programme which uses a professional external Project Manager to co-ordinate and drive the Design Team to achieve the best possible timeframe for the project through the stages of Architectural Planning, to Tender and Construction.
The Programme Manager was appointed in Q3 2023 and is in the process of preparing documentation for the tender process for the appointment of multi-disciplinary design team consultants.
It is not possible to provide a timeframe for the progression of the project to tender and construction stages until such time as the necessary statutory approvals have been secured.
My Department will keep the schools and their patron bodies informed of the progression of this campus project and in relation to interim accommodation pending delivery of the permanent accommodation for the schools.
