Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 21 September 2021
356. Deputy Joe O'Brien asked the Minister for Education the reason a major school building project (details supplied) has been at stage 2b for nearly five years; if her attention has been drawn to the fact that this school has been in temporary accommodation, mainly prefabs, for more than 20 years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44540/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe major building project for the school referred to by the Deputy is at an advanced stage of architectural planning, Stage 2(b). This is a detailed design stage. In addition to securing the necessary statutory approvals it also includes the preparation of complex and detailed tender documents.
This project was authorised to progress to Stage 2(b) in February 2017. Planning Permission was applied for in May 2017, and following requests for additional information by the local authority, final approval was secured in December 2017.
There were a number of challenges in relation to the project which resulted in delay at stage 2B including the replacement of the Design Team Quantity Surveyor, changes to the building regulations relating to Near Zero Energy Building Standard which required the Design Team incorporating necessary changes, an additional planning permission for Photo Voltaic (PV Panels) and a Brief Change Request regarding traffic management.
In October 2020, in order to expedite the progression of this major building project the Department authorised DDLETB and its Design Team to commence a pre-qualification process to select a shortlist of contractors, in parallel with the Department’s review of the stage 2(b) submission for this project.
The Stage 2(b) report was reviewed by my Department and comments issued to DDLETB in May 2021.
My Department has this week authorised the ETB and its design team to complete the pre-qualification process to shortlist building contractors and then proceed to Tender Stage.
The Department is aware of the schools current accommodation. The major building project for Gaelcholáiste Reachrann is to provide a new 600 student school building on the school’s existing site.
