Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 20 March 2024
493. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Education the estimated completion date for a school building projects at a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12620/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe major building project for the Curragh Community School will be delivered under my Department's ADAPT Programme. The ADAPT Programme uses a professional external Project Manager to co-ordinate and drive the Design Team to achieve the best possible timeframe for the project through the stages of Architectural Planning to Tender and Construction. The brief for this project is to provide a new permanent school for the Curragh Community College, and this project is designed to be delivered in 2 phases; Phase 1 will deliver accommodation for 425 students and Phase 2 will deliver the remaining accommodation to provide for a Long Term Projected Enrolment of 1000 students, at the former Magee Barracks site in Kildare. The project is currently at Stage 2(b) of Architectural Planning – Detailed Design, where all statutory approvals are secured, and the suite of tender documents are prepared. The Design Team lodged their application for planning permission in October 2023. The Design Team have since received a Request for Further Information (RFI) from the Local Authority in respect of the planning application. The Design Team have reviewed the RFI and will prepare their response. Until all statutory applications have been secured, it will not be possible to provide an estimated on site date.
The large scale project for Patrician Post Primary school has been devolved to the National Development Finance Agency (NDFA) for delivery as part of a programme of school building projects. The project is currently at Stage 2b (planning and detailed design) of the architectural process. A planning application was lodged with Wicklow County Council and planning permission was granted in Quarter 1 2023. When Stage 2b has been finalised and approved, the next stage is tendering for a contractor and then onwards to construction in due course. The NDFA as the devolved delivery body, will continue to engage directly with the school authority to keep it informed of progress.
Finally, Newbridge Holy Family School was approved a project under my Departments Additional School Accommodation (ASA) scheme for the provision of 8 General Classrooms, 3 Science laboratories, 2 preparation areas, a Music room, a Textiles room, a Graphics room, a Home Economics room, and a 4 SEN Class Base and ancillary Accommodation. The project has been devolved for delivery to the School Authority. The next step will be for the school to procure a consultant. This consultant will lead the project through the various stages of architectural planning and onwards through the statutory planning process and construction. As the project is at an early stage, it is not possible to provide a current timeframe for the completion of the project.
