Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 18 February 2025
367. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Education the timeline to build at a national school (details supplied) which was sanctioned in 2021 and that is still awaiting final sanction to go to tender for the build. [6148/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe school referred to by the Deputy was approved to enter the Department’s pipeline of school buildings for a project to provide one early intervention unit and four special education tuition classrooms under the Additional Schools Accommodation (ASA) Scheme.
A school building project has four points within the design and delivery process where approval from the Department to move to the succeeding stage is mandatory.
These stages are: 1. At stage 1/2(a) - developed design stage - before applying for planning permission; 2. Immediately where a Notice of Intention to Grant Planning Permission/Fire Cert/Disability Access Cert issues from the Local Authority with onerous conditions as these may be the subject of an appeal to An Bord Pleanála; 3. Before seeking tenders for the project 4. Before accepting a tender/placing a contract and commencing construction.
In April 2024 the school submitted a request to proceed to Stage 3 (Tender stage) without obtaining the necessary permission to advance through the first two stages outlined above. The school were then requested to submit a Stage 1/2a developed design report. In August 2024 my Department received this report which included an increased scope of works and the school were requested to reduce the scope in line with the approved brief.
My Department is currently awaiting the resubmission of this report to reflect these changes. Once received and reviewed my department officials will directly liaise with the school authorities to progress this much needed project.
