The school referred to by the Deputy was approved to enter the departments pipeline of school buildings projects to provide the following accommodation: 2 General Classrooms, 4 SET room, 1 Graphics room & project store, 1 Home Economics Room, 2 Science labs & prep area, 1 construction room & prep area, 2 Classroom SEN base and Central activities room and 1 GP dining area plus Ancillary.
The project has been devolved for delivery to Kilkenny Carlow Education Training Board.
I can confirm that the project is currently at Stage 2a (detailed design) following my departments approval to progress in August 2024. The Department is currently awaiting the Stage 2a report from the design team of the delivery body for review.
All projects, including this one, will undergo the necessary due diligence outlined in the public Infrastructure Guidelines. Managing timing, scope, and cost is crucial to staying within budgetary limits for the overall program.
At this stage, it is not possible to predict when a significant school building project of this nature will go to construction, nor when it will be completed, as progress depends upon many contingent factors that can arise. My department will continue to engage with the school authority to provide practical advice and assistance on this important project.