Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 30 November 2023
126. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Education to provide an update on progress for the construction of a new building for a school (details supplied); and for this project to be accelerated due to the shortage of school places in the area. [52313/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe project to which the Deputy refers has been devolved for delivery to Laois and Offaly Education and Training Board (LOETB).
I am pleased to advise that the project is currently at stage 2a (detailed design) of the architectural design process. The stage 2a report has been received in the Department, and a meeting is scheduled to take place between my Department's professional and technical officials and LOETB in the coming week
Following approval of the stage 2a report, the design team will progress to obtain the statutory planning approvals, prepare a set of fully detailed Tender documents, and prepare an accurate pre-tender cost plan. Once these approvals are in place, the project can proceed to tender and construction in due course. As the project is at an early stage in the delivery process, it is not possible at this time to give a date for its completion.
In order to cater for the school's immediate enrolment requirements, my Department is providing six mainstream classrooms under the Department's Modular Accommodation Framework and the installation of these units will be practically completed in the coming months.
