Thursday, 1 Feb 2018

Written Answers Nos. 114-125

Schools Building Projects Status

Ceisteanna (114)

Bernard Durkan

Ceist:

114. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the state of development in each case with particular reference to commencing and or completion dates in respect of the school building programme at primary and second level in Maynooth, County Kildare and respect of upgrading of existing and or provision of new facilities at existing or green field sites, if particular issues arise that may affect the projects; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5192/18]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Education and Skills

I wish to advise the Deputy that under the 6-Year Construction Programme, major capital projects will be delivered at the Maynooth Education Campus, Maynooth Educate Together National School (ETNS) and Maynooth Boys' National School.

Maynooth Education Campus : a building project to construct two post-primary schools catering for 1,000 pupils each, together with a stand-alone sports hall which will be shared by both schools went on site in May 2017.

The project has a 24 month construction duration and is scheduled to be completed in May 2019.

Maynooth ETNS:   a building project to construct an 8 classroom primary school with Special Needs Unit is currently at advanced architectural planning stage. It is anticipated that tenders for the project will be invited in Quarter 1, 2018.

Maynooth Boys' N.S.:   a building project to construct a 24 classroom school with Special Needs Unit, is currently at Stage 2B of the architectural planning process i.e.  - Detailed Design Stage, which includes applications for all statutory consents, including Planning Permission, Disability Access Certificate and Fire Safety Certificate and also the preparation of tender documentation. Planning Permission for this project was received in August 2017.

The Stage 2B report has recently been received and reviewed by my Department.  A number of issues were identified as needing clarification by the Design Team prior to approval of the Stage 2B submission.

Once a revised Stage 2B submission which addresses these issues has been received and reviewed, my Department will then revert to the school with regard to a timeframe for progression to tender stage.

Schools Building Projects Status

Ceisteanna (115)

Bernard Durkan

Ceist:

115. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the state of development in each case with particular reference to starting and or commencement dates in respect of the school building programme at primary and second level in Celbridge, County Kildare and in respect of upgrading of existing and or provision of new facilities at existing or green field sites, if particular issues arise that may affect the projects; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5193/18]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Education and Skills

As the Deputy is aware, my Department’s six-year capital programme priorities building projects for demographic areas, including Celbridge, County Kildare.  In this regard, major capital projects for Scoil Naomh Phadraig, Celbridge and Celbridge Community College will be progressed as part of the programme.

Schools Building Projects Status

Ceisteanna (116)

Bernard Durkan

Ceist:

116. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the state of development in each case with particular reference to starting and or commencement dates in respect of the school building programme at primary and second level in Clane, County Kildare and in respect of upgrading of existing and or provision of new facilities at existing or green field sites, if particular issues arise that may affect the projects; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5194/18]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Education and Skills

I wish to advise the Deputy that under the 6-Year Construction Programme, a major capital project will be delivered for Scoil Phadráig, B.N.S., Clane.

The project is currently at an advanced stage of architectural planning, Stage 2b (Detailed Design), which includes the application for statutory approvals and the preparation of tender documents. All statutory approvals have been secured.

The Stage 2b submission has been received in my Department and is currently being reviewed. On completion of the review, my Department will revert to the Board of Management regarding the next steps to be taken.

I can also confirm to the Deputy that my Department has recently received an application for major capital funding from a post-primary school in Clane. The application will be assessed and  a decision will be conveyed to the school authorities when the assessment process has been completed.

Schools Building Projects Status

Ceisteanna (117)

Bernard Durkan

Ceist:

117. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the state of development in each case with particular reference to starting and or commencement dates in respect of the school building programme at primary and second level in Naas, County Kildare and in respect of upgrading of existing and or provision of new facilities at existing or green field sites, if particular issues arise that may affect the projects; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5195/18]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Education and Skills

I wish to advise the Deputy that under the 6-Year Construction Programme, major capital projects will be progressed for one primary and two post primary schools in Naas, details are  listed below:

St Corban's BNS:   My Department has carried out a site visit to the school. The next step includes the formulation of the accommodation brief for the project and this process is in train.  My Department will be liaising with the school in due course in the context of initiating the architectural planning process for the project.

Naas Community College:   The building project is at stage 2B of the architectural planning process, which means that planning permission has been granted. The project has been devolved to Kildare Wicklow ETB for delivery and the ETB recently furnished the stage 2B submission to my Department for consideration.  Subject to my Department's satisfaction with the submission, the project would then be ready to proceed to tender stage.

In this regard, my Department is currently reviewing our programme for capital expenditure in 2018 and 2019.  The timing of the progression of the project to tender will be considered in that context.

St Mary's Girls' Post-Primary:  My Department has carried out a site visit to the school. The next step includes the formulation of the accommodation brief for the project and this process is in train.  My Department will be liaising with the school in due course in the context of initiating the architectural planning process for the project.

Schools Building Projects Status

Ceisteanna (118, 120, 121, 127)

Bernard Durkan

Ceist:

118. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the state of development in each case with particular reference to starting and or commencement dates in respect of the school building programme at primary and second level in Sallins, County Kildare and in respect of upgrading of existing and or provision of new facilities at existing or green field sites, if particular issues arise that may affect the projects; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5196/18]

Bernard Durkan

Ceist:

120. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the state of development in each case with particular reference to starting and or commencement dates in respect of the school building programme at primary and second level in Broadford, County Kildare and in respect of upgrading of existing and or provision of new facilities at existing or green field sites, if particular issues arise that may affect the projects; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5198/18]

Bernard Durkan

Ceist:

121. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the state of development in each case with particular reference to starting and or commencement dates in respect of the school building programme at primary and second level in Kilshanroe, County Kildare and in respect of upgrading of existing and or provision of new facilities at existing or green field sites, if particular issues arise that may affect the projects; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5199/18]

Bernard Durkan

Ceist:

127. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the state of development in each case with particular reference to starting and or commencement dates in respect of the school building programme at primary and second level in Leixlip, County Kildare and in respect of upgrading of existing and or provision of new facilities at existing or green field sites, if particular issues arise that may affect the projects; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5205/18]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Education and Skills

I propose to take Questions Nos. 118, 120, 121 and 127 together.

My Department’s six-year capital programme priorities building projects for demographic areas, including County Kildare. The Capital Programme also provides for devolved funding for additional classrooms for schools where an immediate enrolment need has been identified or where an additional teacher has been appointed. In this regard, my Department has no record of receiving applications for capital funding from schools in the areas in question in the context of additional teacher appointments.

Schools Building Projects Status

Ceisteanna (119)

Bernard Durkan

Ceist:

119. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the state of development in each case with particular reference to starting and or commencement dates in respect of the school building programme at primary and second level in Kilcock, County Kildare and in respect of upgrading of existing and or provision of new facilities at existing or green field sites, if particular issues arise that may affect the projects; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5197/18]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Education and Skills

The major building project for St. Joseph's National School in Kilcock is at an advanced stage of architectural planning Stage 2b (Detailed Design), which includes the application for statutory approvals and the preparation of tender documents. All statutory approvals have been secured.

The Stage 2b submission has been reviewed by my Department and comments have issued to the school and its Design Team. My Department requested confirmations from the Design Team that it carries out one final review of all of its tender documentation to ensure compliance with DoES requirements. The Design Team has been requested to submit written confirmation from each Design Team member including the PSDP that they have completed this review and are satisfied that the Tender Documents are complete, correct and in compliance with DoES and Building Control (Amendment) Regulations (BC(A)R) tender documentation requirements.

These confirmations have recently been received and my Department will shortly revert to the school with regard to the further progression of the project.

Questions Nos. 120 and 121 answered with Question No. 118.

Schools Building Projects Status

Ceisteanna (122)

Bernard Durkan

Ceist:

122. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the state of development in each case with particular reference to starting and or commencement dates in respect of the school building programme at primary and second level in Newtown, County Kildare and in respect of upgrading of existing and or provision of new facilities at existing or green field sites, if particular issues arise that may affect the projects; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5200/18]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Education and Skills

I can confirm to the Deputy that my Department has recently received an application for major capital funding from the school in question.  The application will be assessed and my Department will convey a decision on the application to the school authorities when this process has been completed.

Schools Building Projects Status

Ceisteanna (123)

Bernard Durkan

Ceist:

123. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the state of development in each case with particular reference to starting and or commencement dates in respect of the school building programme at primary and second level in Tiermohan, County Kildare and in respect of upgrading of existing and or provision of new facilities at existing or green field sites, if particular issues arise that may affect the projects; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5201/18]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Education and Skills

I can confirm to the Deputy that my Department has received an application for major capital funding from the school in question to construct a General Purpose Hall and to replace temporary accommodation.

Due to the competing demands on my Department's capital budget in providing essential mainstream accommodation, it is not possible to consider the school's application for a General Purpose Hall at this time.

The Deputy will be aware that over the lifetime of my Department's Capital Programme, it is my intention to replace all purchased temporary accommodation with permanent accommodation, where the need is established. To enable this development, my Department will be carrying out an assessment of the number of prefabs being used in schools to deliver the curriculum. This will also determine whether or not individual prefabs need to be replaced in the context of the long-term accommodation needs of each individual school. When completed, this assessment will quantify the number of prefabs to be replaced. The needs of the school in question will be considered as part of this process.

The position as outlined above has been explained to the school.

Schools Building Projects Status

Ceisteanna (124)

Bernard Durkan

Ceist:

124. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the state of development in each case with particular reference to starting and or commencement dates in respect of the school building programme at primary and second level in Rathcoffey, County Kildare and in respect of upgrading of existing and or provision of new facilities at existing or green field sites, if particular issues arise that may affect the projects; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5202/18]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Education and Skills

As the Deputy will be aware there is only one school in Rathcoffey, Co. Kildare.

My Department approved funding for the provision of 2 additional classrooms at the school in question together with funding towards the conversion of existing accommodation to a multi-purpose room.  The conversion works funding was to be added to funding raised by the school.

An updated Stage 2a submission (detailed design) and an updated cost plan for the project was requested from the school in July 2017.  This is awaited.  My Department can give consideration to the advancement of the project when the required documentation has been submitted and examined.

Schools Building Projects Status

Ceisteanna (125, 134)

Bernard Durkan

Ceist:

125. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the state of development in each case with particular reference to starting and or commencement dates in respect of the school building programme at primary and second level in Prosperous, County Kildare and in respect of upgrading of existing and or provision of new facilities at existing or green field sites, if particular issues arise that may affect the projects; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5203/18]

Bernard Durkan

Ceist:

134. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Skills when a proposed new post-primary school on an existing or alternative site in respect of a school (details supplied) is likely to be progressed having particular regard to the urgent and pressing need in the area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5212/18]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Education and Skills

I propose to take Questions Nos. 125 and 134 together.

As the Deputy is aware, a building project for the school to which he refers is included in the Department's 6-Year Construction Programme. In the context of progressing the building project, my Department has undertaken a site visit to the school.

The building project will be devolved to Kildare Wicklow Education Training Board (KWETB) for delivery and my Department will be engaging with KWETB shortly in this regard.