School Accommodation

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 8 September 2022

Thursday, 8 September 2022

Ceisteanna (957)

Bernard Durkan

Ceist:

957. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education the progress that has been made in recent weeks in respect of a school (details supplied) and the school's current and future accommodation requirements, the result of consideration of the options study by her Department; if delivery timeframes have been confirmed; if a better interim solution has been found given health and safety concerns raised; if every effort can be made to move this project forward at an early date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43664/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Education

As the Deputy may be aware, it is intended that the permanent accommodation needs of the school will be met in a former post-primary school building which is in the ownership of the school patron.  In order to ensure that optimal use is made of this property, and in support of the achievement of Value for Money, the patron of the school appointed a consultant to undertake an Options Study of the property concerned.

The Options Study report has been received in my Department from the patron Kildare Wicklow Education and Training Board (KWETB) and is currently being assessed. It is my Department's intention to contact KWETB regarding the matter in the near future.

In the meantime, my Department approved a grant in 2021 to facilitate refurbishment works in the former post-primary school building to provide for additional specialist rooms of a science lab, woodwork and home-economics for Gaelcholaiste Maigh Nuad.  The project was devolved to KWETB for delivery. My Department understands that the project has now been completed and will be available to the school for the new school year.