I can inform the Deputy that Department officials had a virtual meeting on 5th February with officials from Louth and Meath Education and Training Board (LMETB) to whom the project to which he refers has been devolved for delivery. The project was among the matters discussed at that meeting.
The Deputy will be aware that a number of design issues have arisen with this project. Most recently, the capacity of the proposed building, and the number of staff it is required to accommodate, has been reviewed to ensure it meets the needs of LMETB into the future. As that review is not fully completed we do not yet have a final agreement on the number of persons to be accommodated in the building (particularly as further consideration will need to be given to the Covid-19 implications for the project). However, it has now been agreed that the existing building design will not meet those needs. Consequently, those designs will need to be reviewed.
LMETB has instructed its design team in this respect and further engagement with the Department will take place to consider next steps.
As the project has yet to proceed through the public procurement process, its value is commercially sensitive at this time. Nor is it possible at this stage to give a commencement date for construction.
To date, approximately €260k has been spent on costs related to the project including design team fees, planning and statutory consent fees and surveys for the project.
