Darragh O'Brien
Ceist:243. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Education and Skills the status of the new school build for a school (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3069/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraSchools Building Projects Status
Ceisteanna (243)
Freagraí scríofa
The building project for the school referred to by the Deputy is being delivered under my Department's Design & Build programme and the project is currently at Architectural Planning stage.
Schools Establishment
Ceisteanna (244)
Darragh O'Brien
Ceist:244. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding the opening of the new Gaelscoil in Donabate, County Dublin; if it will be ready for August 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3070/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
In April 2018, the Government announced plans for the establishment of 42 new schools over the four years from 2019 to 2022, including a new 16 classroom school to be established in 2020 to serve the Donabate school planning area. In September 2019, I announced that this school would be a gaelscoil following a review of the existing irish-medium provision in the area.
The successful patrons of the five new primary schools to be established in 2020, including the new school referred to by the Deputy, will be announced shortly. The assessment reports and the New Schools Establishment Group recommendations will be available on my Department's website (www.education.ie).
My Department is currently examining options for interim accommodation to facilitate the opening of this school in September 2020. The school will open in suitable interim accommodation pending delivery of its permanent building.
The acquisition of a site to accommodate a permanent school building is at an advanced stage of legal conveyancing. Department officials are engaging with the landowner and officials in the relevant local authority regarding the potential development of the site.
Schools Building Projects Status
Ceisteanna (245)
Denis Naughten
Ceist:245. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Question No.126 of 2 October 2019, the progress made to date in developing a purpose built school for the pupils of the school; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3091/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Deputy will be aware that a major capital project for the school in question is included in my Department's school building programme to be delivered as part of the National Development Plan. This project necessitates the acquisition of a new site and a number of site options were identified by Galway Co. Council. These were comprehensively assessed and a preferred site option was identified and negotiations entered into between the Department and the Agent for the Vendors. Unfortunately, the Vendors subsequently withdrew from the process.
However, a potential alternative site option has been identified and discussions are at an advanced stage with the Landowner with a view to acquiring this site. Given the commercial sensitivities associated with land acquisitions generally I am not in a position to comment further at this time. I can, however, assure you that the acquisition of a new site for the school is a priority for the Department and the patron body will be informed of the location for the school as soon as it is possible to do so.
Student Grant Scheme Eligibility
Ceisteanna (246)
Bernard Durkan
Ceist:246. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Skills if a person (details supplied) continues to qualify for a SUSI grant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3112/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Under the terms of the Student Grant Scheme, grant assistance is awarded to students attending an approved course in an approved institution who meet the prescribed conditions of funding, including those relating to nationality, residency, previous academic attainment and means.
My officials have been advised by the awarding authority that the student in question made an application for grant support on 20 April 2019. The awarding authority wrote to the student on 30 April 2019 seeking additional information. Despite repeated requests via e-mail and text reminders during May and June 2019, the students did not respond. The awarding authority subsequently issued a refusal letter on 23 July 2019 to which the student did not appeal that decision. Therefore, the student is not eligible for support for the academic year 2019/20.
It is anticipated that the student grant scheme for 2020/21 will open in early April. If the student in question is of the belief that he will meet the eligibility criteria for the scheme then, he may apply for support for 2020/21.
Third Level Facilities
Ceisteanna (247)
Bernard Durkan
Ceist:247. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the extent of the research ongoing at a location (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3145/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The location in question is a joint facility of UCD's School of Agriculture and Food Science and School of Veterinary Medicine. It operates mixed enterprises, supporting the dairying, beef and sheep teaching and research needs of both Schools. UCD researchers are working with the Irish agri-food sector to ensure sustainability and global competitiveness and to develop safe, sustainable foods and promote human health. The facilities are used by undergraduate and postgraduate students and staff, as well as for Continuous Professional Development for graduates and agri-food professionals.
The overall aim of research undertaken is to develop a better understanding of the molecular biology of animal and crop systems, and to translate this into new technologies and production systems to improve the quality of the food produced, the efficiency of its production, and the competitiveness of the systems of food production, with due regard to environmental stewardship and the welfare of animals. Key areas of research undertaken include:
- Animal Nutrition Research
- Animal Reproduction Research
- Crop Production Research
- Dairy Research
- Equine Research
- Sheep Research
- Long-term Pasture Based Production Systems Research.
Irish Language
Ceisteanna (248)
Bernard Durkan
Ceist:248. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Skills if an exemption from Irish in second level education can be made available in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3146/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Dept. of Education & Skills issued two Circulars in August 2019 regarding exemptions from the study of Irish for both Primary and Post Primary schools. Circulars 052/2019 and 053/2019 refer.
Section 2.2 of both Circulars advise on the circumstances in which a pupil may be granted an exemption from the study of Irish. The decision to grant an exemption from the study of Irish is made by the principal teacher, but it must be made following discussion with the pupil’s parent(s)/guardian(s), the class teacher, special education teachers, and the pupil.
Where the application for exemption from the study of Irish is refused, a parent/guardian can appeal the school’s decision to the Irish Exemptions Appeal Committee (IEAC) if they are dissatisfied with the schools decision.
The IEAC is bound by the terms of Section 2.4 of Circulars 052/2019 and 053/2019 which directs that the deliberations of the IEAC focus solely on the processes the school followed in in reaching its decision and consider whether the school followed the process as prescribed by the Circulars. The IEAC do not have the remit to consider any other criteria in making their decision.
I wish to advise the Deputy that the parents of the student concerned applied to the school for an exemption for their child on 4 December 2019 and the school refused the application on 12 December last. The parents lodged an appeal against the decision on 20 December and the appeal was considered on 21 January 2020. The IEAC determined that the school did not fully follow the procedure, as they did not advise the parents of the next step in processing the application after the initial discussion with the parents but did follow the process in every other aspect. A correspondence issued to the school requesting that they review the process that they took for this application. As set out in Circular 052/2019 and the Primary guidelines, the school are obliged to review their processing of the application and the outcome may or may not change as a result.
Student Grant Scheme Appeals
Ceisteanna (249)
Brendan Griffin
Ceist:249. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Education and Skills if student grant appeals will be accepted in respect of persons (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3149/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Under the terms of the Student Grant Scheme, grant assistance is awarded to students attending an approved course in an approved institution who meet the prescribed conditions of funding, including those relating to nationality, residency, previous academic attainment and means.
The awarding authority has advised my Department that the students in question did not meet the nationality criteria of the scheme. While both students appealed the decision of the awarding authority to the SUSI Appeals Officer, the Appeals Officer refused the appeals and upheld the original decisions of the awarding authority.
The applicants had 30 days from the date of the appeal refusal letters (28 November 2019) to appeal this decision to the Student Grants Appeal Board. The students did not submit an appeal to the independent Student Grant Appeals Board within the statutory timeline and there is no discretion to accept a late appeal.
However, if the nationality status of either student changes during the academic year, they can submit a request for a review of their applications by email to support@susi.ie
Covid-19 Pandemic
Ceisteanna (250)
Brendan Griffin
Ceist:250. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will engage with insurance companies in cases in which school tours have been booked and paid for and insurance companies are unwilling to issue a refund due to Covid-19; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3158/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Advice on travel insurance is available on the Department of Foreign Affairs website at https://www.dfa.ie/travel/know-before-you-go/travel-insurance-and-health/
In relation to insurance for cancelled school trips, schools should address their concerns to their travel agent and/or their insurance company. If after these steps schools are not satisfied, they should contact the Financial Services and Pensions Ombudsman who deals with issues regarding travel insurance. Their website is https://www.fspo.ie/
My Department has no jurisdiction to make representations to insurance companies.
Special Educational Needs Service Provision
Ceisteanna (251)
Roderic O'Gorman
Ceist:251. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Education and Skills if the new secondary school for the Blanchardstown village and Blanchardstown west school planning areas, the patronage of which was recently awarded to the Dublin and Dún Laoghaire Education and Training Board, will include an ASD unit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3162/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I wish to advise the Deputy that a Special Education Needs Base will be included in the new permanent secondary school building for Blanchardstown West Dublin 15 and Blanchardstown Village (Regional Solution) when constructed.
National Council for Special Education
Ceisteanna (252)
Aengus Ó Snodaigh
Ceist:252. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Education and Skills if the recent consultation carried out by the NCSE will not lead to closure of schools (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3172/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
In September 2018, the NCSE was requested to develop policy advice on the educational provision that should be in place for students educated in special schools and classes and to make recommendations on the provision required to enable them achieve better outcomes.
It was agreed that the report will be completed and submitted to the Minister by June 2020.
The NCSE was also requested to provide a progress report which was submitted to me on 5 November 2019.
The progress report provides an overview on the evolution of special education policy and provision in Ireland together with some preliminary analysis of emerging themes from a review of research literature and consultations with parents, teacher unions and education representative bodies, students, advocacy groups; school visits and relevant Government Departments and bodies. The Progress Report does not draw any definitive conclusions and the preliminary findings are tentative.
The NCSE is also examining implications following ratification of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) in 2018, Article 24(2) of this convention obliges states, inter alia, to ensure that children can access an inclusive, quality and free education on an equal basis with others in the communities in which they live.
The NCSE is currently engaged in a public consultation with parents, students, people with disabilities, educators and other educational partners and stakeholders. The focus of this consultation focuses on how best to move forward in the education of students currently being educated in special schools and classes. The special schools to which the Deputy refers have been included in this consultation process.
Following this public consultation and further deliberations by NCSE, the policy advice will be finalised and submitted to the Minister by June 2020.
It is important to note that at this stage, the NCSE has not made any recommendations regarding the future of any special school.
EU Funding
Ceisteanna (253)
Catherine Murphy
Ceist:253. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Education and Skills the schedule and-or breakdown of funds received by his Department or channelled through his Department from EU sources in 2018 and 2019; and the programmes the funding supported. [3194/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Managing Authorities for the European Social Fund (ESF) and the European Adjustment Globalisation Fund (EGF) are located within my Department. There were no EGF receipts during 2018 or 2019.
The ESF co-financed Programme for Employability, Inclusion and Learning for the period 2014-2020 has an overall allocation of €1.157 billion, comprising ESF and Exchequer contributions of €544.516m each and an EU Youth Employment Initiative (YEI) budget contribution of €68.145m. The specific YEI allocation of €68m is matched by equal amounts from our ESF allocation and from the Exchequer, giving an overall allocation of €204m. The Programme funds a range of activities implemented by a range of bodies. All ESF/YEI activities are fully funded up-front by the Exchequer with the EU (ESF/YEI) funding being claimed in arrears. The ESF/YEI receipts in a given year are those paid on foot of payment applications made to the Commission along with any pre-financing due and any amounts due following the acceptance of the annual accounts in accordance with the EU Regulations. At the end of 2017 there was a balance of €0.6m in the ESF PEIL Suspense Account. The ESF/YEI receipts and their distribution in 2018 and 2019 are set out in the following table.
|
ESF/YEI receipts |
2018 |
Programmes |
2019 |
Programmes |
|
|
€m |
€m |
€m |
€m |
|
Opening Balance Suspense Account |
0.61 |
|
0 |
|
|
Prefinancing |
0.78 |
|
0.73 |
|
|
Payment Applications |
116.12 |
|
149.05 |
|
|
Total |
117.52 |
|
149.78 |
|
|
Distributed |
|
|
|
|
|
D/Education and Skills |
109.41 |
YR 67.17 |
74.36 |
YR 38.68 |
|
|
|
BTEI 19.43 |
|
BTEI 14.9 |
|
|
|
AL 22.81 |
|
AL 20.24 |
|
|
|
|
|
TA 0.53 |
|
National Training Fund |
1.38 |
ETBTU |
61.81 |
ETBTU |
|
D/Defence |
0.20 |
DFESS |
0.16 |
DFESS |
|
D/Employment Affairs & Social Protection |
|
|
0.52 |
EURES |
|
D/Justice and Equality |
6.53 |
GYDP 4.7 |
12.73 |
GYDP 11.18 |
|
|
|
YPP 1.51 |
|
YPP 1.55 |
|
|
|
TN 0.31 |
|
|
|
Closing Balance Suspense Account |
0.00 |
|
0.2 |
|
|
Total |
117.52 |
|
149.78 |
|
Note: differences can arise due to rounding. Key: YR – Youthreach; BTEI - Back to Education Initiative; AL - Adult Literacy; ETBTU - ETB Training for the Unemployed (Bridging; Traineeship and Specific Skills Training); DFESS - Defence Forces Employment Support Scheme GYDP - Garda Youth Diversion Projects; YPP - Young Person Probation Projects; TN - Tús Nua; TA – Technical Assistance
My Department also receives EU receipts for EU education projects which include compensatory payments for administrative expenses incurred in providing for the Centre for European Schooling, Dunshaughlin, Co. Meath; activities under Ireland’s participation in the European Commission’s Eurydice information network and the Eurostudent VI project 2016-18. These receipts amounted to €0.407m in 2018 and €0.36m in 2019.
Special Educational Needs Service Provision
Ceisteanna (254)
Fergus O'Dowd
Ceist:254. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Education and Skills if urgent assistance will be provided to a person (details supplied) in respect of the needs outlined in correspondence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3201/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The National Council for Special Education (NCSE) through its network of local Special Educational Needs Organisers (SENOs) is responsible for processing applications from schools for special educational needs supports.
The SENOs are available to assist parents to identify appropriate educational placements for children with special educational needs and to discuss their child's special educational needs. SENOs are guided by the information regarding diagnosis and the recommendations contained in professional reports.
The Department encourages parents and school authorities to engage locally regarding pupils' education. Parents may also contact their local SENO directly to discuss their child’s special educational needs, using the contact details available on www.ncse.ie.
All school have an allocation of special education teaching support for pupils with special educational needs. The Special Education Teaching allocation model provides a single unified allocation for special educational support teaching needs to each school, based on a school’s educational profile.
This allocation will allow schools to provide additional teaching support for all pupils who require such support in their schools and for schools to deploy resources based on each pupil’s individual learning needs.
By monitoring the learning of pupils in schools on a daily basis, schools are best placed to decide who needs the most extra help.
The special education teaching allocation model gives schools greater autonomy in how they allocate special education teaching resources.
Where a parent has an assessment for their child which notes that they have a particular special educational need, or disability, they should still bring this to the attention of the school, as it may assist the school to decide how best to support the child.
The school will take account of learning needs as evidenced by performance in schools but also supported where relevant by information provided regarding the nature of a condition that a pupil may have.
Parents are encouraged to discuss with the class teacher, or the school Principal, the manner in which teaching support can be provided. Ongoing monitoring of your child’s performance over the course of the school year will also support the school in deciding how much support can be allocated or how much support is required.
Student Grant Scheme Eligibility
Ceisteanna (255)
Brendan Griffin
Ceist:255. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Education and Skills if financial assistance will be provided towards third level education for a person (details supplied) who is applying for naturalisation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3226/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Under the terms of the Student Grant Scheme administered by SUSI, grant assistance is awarded to students attending an approved course in an approved institution who meet the prescribed conditions of funding, including those relating to nationality, residency, previous academic attainment/progression and means. An individual who does not meet the nationality criterion in the Student Grant Scheme will not qualify for support.
Separately, my Department operates a parallel grant scheme for persons in the protection process or at the leave to remain (but not deportation order) stage. The scheme provides supports to qualifying students which are similar to those available in the statutory based Student Grant Scheme administered by SUSI.
Last year, following a review of the Pilot Support Scheme 2018, I announced my decision to continue the scheme for the 2019/20 academic year and to undertake a further review in 2020.
To qualify for the pilot scheme, prospective students have to meet a number of criteria, including a requirement to:
- Meet the definition of a protection applicant or a person at leave to remain stage (other than those at the deportation order stage);
- Obtained their Leaving Certificate;
- Have been accepted on an approved Post Leaving Certificate course or an approved undergraduate course; and
- Have attended a minimum of three academic years in the Irish school system and have been part of an application for protection or leave to remain for a combined period of 3 years prior to 31 August of the first year of their course.
Details of the 2019/20 Pilot Support Scheme can be accessed on my Department's website at: https://www.education.ie/en/Learners/Services/Pilot-Support-Scheme/Pilot-Support-Scheme.html
Education Policy
Ceisteanna (256)
Catherine Connolly
Ceist:256. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to increase education ties between Ireland and the United States of America; the efforts being made in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3235/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Ireland has strong educational links with the United States and our Government Departments, our State Agencies and the education sector continue to focus on further developing and enhancing these important relationships across a wide range of education areas.
In May of last year, I led a education trade mission to Washington DC. I was accompanied on this trade mission by eleven Irish higher education institutions, where our objective was to promote the Irish higher education system as a partner for US Institutions in the areas of student, academic and research mobility and collaboration.
I addressed the opening plenary session at NAFSA: the Association of International Educators, on the future potential of today's students, how an international education can contribute significantly to the development of key skills for employment, and how studying abroad contributes significantly to a greater understanding, appreciation and tolerance in our world. Over 8,000 people attended this event, with the audience comprised of educators from all around the world, located in more than 3,500 institutions worldwide, in over 150 countries.
During my visit, I also met with Betsy DeVos, the US Secretary of Education and Marie Royce, the US Assistant Secretary of State for Educational & Cultural Affairs where we had meaningful discussions on how Ireland and the US can deepen its relationship in education to the mutual benefit of both countries.
School Accommodation
Ceisteanna (257)
Niamh Smyth
Ceist:257. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Education and Skills if a matter (details supplied) will be reviewed; the status of the application for the school; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3240/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I can confirm to the Deputy that my Department is in receipt of an application, for capital funding, under the Additional School Accommodation scheme, from the school authority in question. Once the application has been assessed, the school authority will be contacted directly with a decision in writing.
DEIS Eligibility
Ceisteanna (258)
Éamon Ó Cuív
Ceist:258. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to review the refusal of DEIS status to schools (details supplied) in view of the deprived area in which the schools are located and the high number of non-national and Traveller children in attendance at the schools; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3245/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
My Department is in the final stages of refinement of the new DEIS identification model, based on school enrolment data form 2018/19 and the latest data available from Census 2016 under the HP Deprivation Index. A detailed quality analysis of the data has been carried out by members of the DEIS Technical Group which contains representatives of the Department’s Statistics and Social Inclusion Units, the Inspectorate and the Educational Research Centre. The work of this group is at an advanced stage and a consultation process with education stakeholder representatives on the technical aspect of this model has been arranged. It is envisaged that this will then provide the basis for development of a DEIS resource allocation system to match resources to identified need.
I am confident that the culmination of this work will facilitate the ultimate aim of matching resources to identified need and will allow us to target extra resources at those schools most in need. Until this work is complete, it is not intended to extend the DEIS programme to any further schools.
School Transport Provision
Ceisteanna (259)
Brendan Griffin
Ceist:259. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Education and Skills if a post-primary school transport route (details supplied) will be extended with the capacity increased to meet demand; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3250/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
School transport is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department.
In the current school year over 120,000 children, including over 14,200 children with special educational needs, are transported in over 5,000 vehicles on a daily basis to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country covering over 100 million kilometres at a cost of over €219m in 2019.
The purpose of the School Transport Scheme is, having regard to available resources, to support the transport to and from school of children who reside remote from their nearest school. Under the terms of the School Transport Schemes children are eligible for transport at primary level where they reside not less than 3.2 kms from and are attending their nearest national school, and at post primary level where they reside not less than 4.8 kms from and are attending their nearest post primary school/education centre as determined by the Department/Bus Éireann, having regard to ethos and language.
Distance eligibility is determined by Bus Éireann by measuring the shortest traversable route from the child’s home to the relevant school. The terms of the School Transport Schemes are applied equitably on a national basis.
Children who are not eligible for school transport may apply for transport on a concessionary basis only and may be facilitated where spare seats are available after eligible children have been accommodated. Where the number of ineligible children exceeds the number of spare seats available Bus Éireann will allocate tickets for the spare seats using an agreed selection process.
Bus Éireann is responsible for the planning and timetabling of school transport routes. Bus Éireann endeavours, within available resources, to ensure that each eligible child has a reasonable level of school transport service in the context of the Scheme nationally.
Families wishing to avail of school transport should complete the online application process on the Bus Éireann website before 24th April 2020. School transport scheme services operating for the 2020/21 school year will be determined by the number of children who apply and are deemed eligible for school transport.
Island Communities
Ceisteanna (260)
Éamon Ó Cuív
Ceist:260. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Education and Skills if there is a policy to ensure that all offshore islands with a significant population have a post-primary school; the number of offshore islands with no bridge or causeway to the mainland with a population of over 100; the number of these that have a secondary school; his plans to ensure that schools are set up on the remaining few islands that do not have a secondary school and have a viable population for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3251/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
In order to plan for school provision and analyse the relevant demographic data, the Department divides the country into 314 school planning areas and uses a Geographical Information System, using data from a range of sources, including Child Benefit Data from the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection and the Department's own school enrolment databases, to identify where the pressure for school places across the country will arise. With this information, the Department carries out nationwide demographic exercises to determine where additional school accommodation is needed at primary and post-primary level.
It is not anticipated that new post-primary schools will be established within the foreseeable future.
All islands in the Gaeltacht have access to a post-primary school. In recognition of the unique challenges facing island schools and in addition to the supports already being provided as part of the Gaeltacht School Recognition Scheme, a specific package of targeted supports has been provided for every island post-primary school from September 2018, as part of the overall implementation of the Policy on Gaeltacht Education. The specific package of additional supports for island post-primary schools include increased teacher allocation for each of the island post-primary schools from its previous allocation of 1 whole-time equivalent post to 1.5 whole-time equivalent posts and an additional ring-fenced budget of €15,000 per annum for each island post-primary school.
The Department of Education and Skills will continue to be represented on the Inter-Departmental Committee for the Development of the Islands, which was established by the Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht in 2019.
Schools Building Projects Status
Ceisteanna (261)
Joe O'Brien
Ceist:261. Deputy Joe O'Brien asked the Minister for Education and Skills the status of plans to build an appropriate facility for a school (details supplied). [3253/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The building project for the school referred to by the deputy is included in My Department’s Construction Programme which is being delivered under the National Development Plan.
This project is one of the school building projects on my Department’s ADAPT 2 (Accelerated Delivery of Architectural Planning & Tendering) Programme. My Department has completed the process of appointing a Project Manager for the ADAPT 2 Programme. A Request for Tender to appoint a Design Team – (Architect, Quantity Surveyor, Civil & Structural Engineer, Mechanical & Electrical Engineer and Project Supervisor for the Design Process) is live on www.etenders.gov.ie, with a closing date for tender return of 6th March 2020 at 5pm.
Once appointed the Design Team will commence work on Stage 1 of Architectural Planning – Site Suitability, Site Repot & Initial Sketch Scheme.
Schools Site Acquisitions
Ceisteanna (262)
Martin Heydon
Ceist:262. Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Minister for Education and Skills the progress being made on the site selection process for a new school build at a school (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3257/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As the Deputy is aware, a new site is required for the replacement building for the school in question and my Department has commenced the site identification process. In line with protocols for the use of State property assets, my Department has written to the Department of Defence enquiring if the Department is in a position to provide a site that could be suitable. My Department has also been in liaison with Kildare County Council in regard to identifying a potential site.
Due to commercial sensitivities surrounding site acquisitions in general, I cannot comment further at this point in the process, though I can assure the Deputy that my Department is making every effort to progress the matter.