Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 25 March 2025
374. Deputy Rory Hearne asked the Minister for Education further to Parliamentary Question No. 456 of 5 February 2025, for a status update on her Department’s efforts to secure the necessary statutory approvals for the development of the permanent buildings for a school (details supplied); if she will provide further updates relating to the project; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13879/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraSince 2020, my department has invested over €5.8 billion in our schools throughout the country, involving the completion of over 1,300 school building projects. Between projects currently under construction and projects moving to construction in the coming months, investments by the Department of Education are adding over 600,000 square metres of new and modernised capacity to our school estate.
This is a record level of investment in school buildings. It will expand the number of school places, significantly increase provision for special education and upgrade and modernise our school infrastructure.The impact of this will be felt in communities right around the country.
The Programme for Government recognises the importance of strong capital investment in the school building programme and supporting this with enhanced allocations through the NDP process.
The project for the school referred to by the Deputy will form part of a campus project to be delivered under my Department's ADAPT 4 Programme which uses a professional external Project Manager to co-ordinate and drive the Integrated Project Team to achieve the best possible timeframe for the project through the stages of Architectural Planning, to Tender and Construction.
The ADAPT 4 Programme will be led by Integrated Project Teams (IPT’s), consisting of highly skilled and experienced design professionals, architects, engineers, project managers, quantity surveyors and various other consultants to deliver the projects. AECOM as the Programme Manager are overseeing the procurement and appointment of the IPTs, which is nearing completion.
Once the IPTs have been appointed, design work can commence as part of Stage 1 of the project. Applications for statutory approvals are made at Stage 2 (b) of Architectural Planning (Detailed Design).
My Department will keep the school and their patron body informed of the progression of this shared educational campus and will continue to liaise in relation to interim accommodation pending delivery of the permanent accommodation for the school.
