Dáil Éireann Debate, Friday - 6 September 2019
466. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Education and Skills when authorisation will issue to commence the pre-qualification process in respect of a building project (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36531/19]
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 and Disability Access Cert and the preparation of tender documents. All statutory approvals have been obtained.
The Stage 2(b) submission for this project has been reviewed and the Design Team has completed work on its NZEB submission for this project which will ensure the new school building will be a "Near Zero Energy Building" (NZEB) in compliance with the 2017 amendment to Part L of the current Building Regulations.
The Department’s capital programme continues to address the challenge posed by significant increases in the school population particularly in developing areas. To help meet this demographic challenge, during the course of 2019 over 80 large scale projects and 140 projects under the Additional Accommodation Scheme are under construction.
There are currently 375 large-scale projects for delivery under the school building programme as part of the National Development Plan 2018 to 2027. The current status of each of these projects is listed on the Department’s website and is updated on a monthly basis.
To manage this volume of projects within the overall budget the Department must continuously profile projects to progress towards commencing construction and draw down of funding on a scheduled basis.
In this context, the Department will revert to the school later this month with prospective timelines for the further progression of this major building project, including pre-qualification of contractors and progression to tender stage.
