Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 30 June 2026
417. Deputy Mark Wall asked the Minister for Education and Youth to provide an update on the construction of a new school building for a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49799/26]
View answerThe brief for the project referred to by the Deputy is to provide a new permanent school building for the school. 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 1,000 students, at the former Magee Barracks site in Kildare.
The Design Team lodged their initial application for planning permission for the preferred design option with the Local Authority in October 2023. The Design Team subsequently received a substantial Request for Further Information (RFI) from the Local Authority in respect of the planning application. Following the Design Teams RFI response to the Local Authority, the Design Team received the Local Authority’s initial decision to grant planning permission, with conditions, on 09 October 2024.
The initial grant of planning decision was appealed to An Coimisiún Pleanála (ACP) (formally An Bord Pleanála) in October 2024 and the Design Team received ACP’s decision to grant planning permission in early February 2025.
The project is currently at Stage 4 - Construction. The letter of intent (LOI) issued to the successful tenderer in March 2026. The Department gave authorisation to issue the LOA on 7th May 2026.
Construction commenced on site on 19th June 2026 and the estimated contract duration time is 22 months.
Department officials will continue to liaise with the School's authorities regarding next steps.
