Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 7 July 2015
493. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Education and Skills if extra funds have been made available for her Department to comply with planning conditions set down by Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council and upheld by An Bord Pleanála regarding the planning application for the building of a new school for a co-educational day school (details supplied) in County Dublin. [27223/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Major Building Project referred to by the Deputy is at an advanced stage of architectural planning, Stage 2b - Detailed Design, which includes the applications for Planning Permission, Fire Safety Certification, Disability Access Certification and the preparation of tender documentation. An appeal was made to An Bord Pleanála regarding the decision to grant Planning Permission. In February 2015 An Bord Pleanála upheld the decision to grant Planning Permission with conditions.
Following the decision by An Bord Pleanála, the Design Team has been instructed to incorporate the cost of the planning conditions into a brief change request to be submitted to my Department prior to making their stage 2(b) submission which includes the completion of tender documents. This is to ensure cost certainty prior to approval to proceed to tender.
The responsibility to ensure the most cost-effective solution rests with the design team. Assuming that the design team meets that responsibility then the revisions to the design required to comply with the planning conditions will be funded by my Department.
