A Project Manager has been appointed to assist my Department in the delivery of interim accommodation for the new schools to be established in 2020 and 2021. A planning application for the school to which the Deputy refers was lodged with the relevant Local Authority on 20 May 2020 and a decision is awaited. The tendering process for the procurement of prefabricated accommodation for the project is currently ongoing.
It is envisaged that the school will open in suitable interim accommodation for the 2020/2021 academic year. In anticipation of any potential delays on the decision on the planning application due to the current Covid-19 situation, contingency accommodation will be made available for the school on the Citywest Education Campus on a short-term basis until such time as the project for its planned interim accommodation is completed.
The permanent project for the school has recently been assigned for delivery under my Department’s Design and Build Programme. This delivery programme uses a professional external Project Manager to progress the project through the relevant stages of architectural planning and construction. The project will now commence Architectural Planning. The permanent site for the project located at Coolamber Drive, Rathcoole is in the ownership of my Department.
