Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 13 October 2015
406. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Education and Skills when a longstanding application for accommodation for a new school (details supplied) in County Longford will be approved, as the current accommodation is not adequate; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35756/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe major building project referred to by the Deputy is currently at an advanced stage of Architectural Planning - Stage 2b (Detailed Design) which includes the applications for Planning Permission, Fire Cert, Disability Access Cert and the preparation of Tender Documents. All statutory approvals have been secured. The Stage 2b submission has been reviewed by my Department and the Design Team have been requested to submit final confirmations that they are satisfied that the Tender Documents are complete, correct and in compliance with the requirements of the Departments Guidelines and the Building Control (Amendment) Regulations (BC(A)R) 2014. However, due to competing demands on my Department's capital budget imposed by the need to prioritise the limited funding available for the provision of additional school accommodation to meet increasing demographic requirements it was not possible to include this project in the 5 year construction programme announced in March 2012. School building projects, including the project to which the Deputy refers, which have been initiated but not included in the current five year construction programme will continue to be progressed to final planning stages and will therefore be well placed for consideration for inclusion in future construction programmes.
