Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 18 December 2025
410. Deputy Fionntán Ó Súilleabháin asked the Minister for Education and Youth the details of the reasons for the delay with building works for a school (details supplied) a project that was authorised by the Department of Education and Youth to proceed to the tender stage in November 2024; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [68635/25]
View answerI am delighted to advise the Deputy that approval has been given to Kildare and Wicklow Education and Training Board to issue the Letter of Acceptance to the preferred contractor for the project to which he refers. This will facilitate the project to progress to construction in the very near future. As the Deputy is aware, the project is part of a school campus project at Kilbride, County Wicklow. It has been devolved for delivery to KWETB.
The brief for Gaelcholáiste Na Mara is to provide a new post primary school to accommodate a long-term projected enrolment of at least 400 pupils including 2 classrooms for students with special educational needs.
The brief for Gaelscoil an Inbhir Mhóir provides for the construction of a new 16 classroom primary school including 2 classrooms for pupils with special educational needs within this new Education Campus on a greenfield site in Kilbride.
In November 2024, the campus project was authorised to proceed to Stage 3 Tender stage. In Quarter 2, 2025 the Stage 3 Tender Report was submitted to the Department. In July 2025, following a review of the submission, approval was given to KWETB to issue the Letter of Intent to the successful tenderer.
I am pleased to advise the Deputy that the approval to issue the Letter of Acceptance to the contractor was given to KWETB recently, and this will allow the project to progress to construction shortly. Once appointed, a contractor programme of works including estimated completion timelines will be shared with KWETB and the Department and this information will be provided to the school authorities.
The Department remains committed to providing ongoing guidance and practical support as required. KWETB as the delivery body will continue to engage directly with the school authority to keep it fully informed of all progress.
