Emer Currie
Ceist:421. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Education and Youth when a Stage 2a meeting will be arranged (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16367/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraTuesday, 3 March 2026
Ceisteanna (421)
Freagraí scríofa
The joint major building project for the schools referred to is currently at Stage 2(a) of Architectural Planning - Developed Design - which is a crucial element of the architectural planning process as it is at this stage that the design is developed to a stage where it can be fully cost planned and prepared to lodge for statutory approvals.
The Design Team submitted their Stage 2(a) Submission report to my Department in January 2024 for review. Upon review, some key concerns were identified by Department officials, and the school authorities and Design Team were advised in advance that in place of the Stakeholders meeting, there would be a further interim Stage 2(a) workshop to discuss and assist the Design Team in progressing their Stage 2(a) submission in a positive manner.
The Design Team were asked to complete a review and audit of the floor area schedules, and to also refine some design elements in order to meet the approved schedule of accommodation.
A further interim workshop was held on 22nd March 2024, between my Department and the Design Team Architect, where further refinements and adjustment to floor area were discussed.
Upon receipt of the revised Stage 2(a) Report Department officials carried out an initial review and arranged an architectural workshop with the Design Team Lead in May 2025 to discuss further.
In early June 2025 a further meeting was held with the wider Design Team, school authorities and Department officials in attendance. At that meeting the school were provided with a progress update and advised that the Design Team was due to submit an Addendum S2a Report to the Department.
The outstanding information for the Addendum Stage 2a Report was received in the Department on 31st October 2025.
A date for the Stage 2a Stakeholders Meeting will be advised upon completion of the Addendum Report review.
I recognise that there are schools with important building projects that are not included in the first tranche of prioritised projects.
As part of planning ahead for the next tranche of projects to progress to tender, the department-led prioritisation process will continue over the course of 2026 and 2027 to assess and evaluate the progression of individual projects through the design pipeline having regard to the continual need to maximise existing capacity and determine the prioritised needs going forward. This process will involve engagement with key stakeholders and individual schools and will ultimately inform the next tranches of programme rollout to tender. The department-led Energy and Condition Survey of the school estate, which will be finalised later in 2026, will provide an additional evidence base for assessing priorities.
Based on this ongoing prioritisation process some projects may be added to the list over the course of 2026 and 2027 having regard to their prioritisation and urgency of need and taking account also of the ongoing ability to progress them to tender and construction within the parameters of overall funding. Where appropriate, the department will also assess opportunities to undertake advance enabling works for the most urgent and complex projects to facilitate a smooth progression to construction in 2028 and beyond.
Any interim accommodation requirements will continue to be assessed and considered by the department on a case-by-case basis to determine the prioritised needs and approach for addressing same.
The accommodation needs at St John Boscos JNS & SNS and Mary Help of Christians will be considered as part of the ongoing overall department-led prioritisation process, in consultation with the school’s patron and school authorities.