QUESTION

To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the status of the provision of a new site for Gaelscoil Ros Eo, Rush as announced in November 2015; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

REPLY

As the Deputy is aware the building project for the school in question is included on my Department's capital programme.
I am pleased to inform the Deputy that agreement in principle has been reached on the proposed acquisition of a site that will accommodate both the school to which he refers and a replacement building for an existing post primary school.  This acquisition is currently progressing through the conveyancing stage.

QUESTION

To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding progress on a permanent school building project for Rush National School, Rush; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

REPLY

The major building project for the school referred to by the Deputy is currently at an advanced stage of Architectural Planning, Stage 2b - Detailed Design, which includes the application for statutory approval and the preparation of tender documents.  Statutory approvals in relation to the permanent new school build have been secured.
Following the appointment of a replacement consultant architect, the Design Team has reviewed the previous Stage 2(b) documentation and is currently upgrading the design to ensure that the new school building is a Near Zero Energy Building (NZEB) in compliance with the 2017 amendment to Part L of the Building Regulations.
The Design Team is also finalising the detail in relation to the provision of temporary accommodation and playground facilities during the construction of the new school building. My Department is currently reviewing a report in relation to costs for the temporary accommodation and playground. Upon review and approval of costs, the Design Team will then submit an application for Planning Permission for the temporary accommodation and playground to the Local Authority.
The Design Team will then complete the tender documents and submit the Stage 2b report to my Department.  Upon receipt and review of the Stage 2(b) submission, my Department will revert to the Board of Management regarding the further progression of the project at that time

QUESTION

To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding progress on a new school building project for a school St. Joseph's Secondary School, Rush; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

REPLY

The Deputy will be aware that a building project for the school to which he refers is included in my Department's School Building Programme to be delivered as part of the National Development Plan (NDP).
A new site is required to facilitate this development and my Department has recently reached  agreement in principle with the landowners for the acquisition of a site. In tandem with the site acquisition, my Department will now initiate the preparation of the project brief. My Department will be in contact with the school authority when this process has been completed.

QUESTION

To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the status of the provision of a new school building project for St. Joseph's Secondary School, Rush; if the acquisition of a new site for the school has been completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

REPLY

As the Deputy is aware the building project for the school in question is included on my Department's capital programme.
I am pleased to inform the Deputy that agreement in principle has been reached on the proposed acquisition of a site that will accommodate both the school to which he refers and permanent accommodation for a local primary school.  This acquisition is currently progressing through the conveyancing stage and my officials are working to bring it to a conclusion at the earliest possible date.

QUESTION

To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the status of the provision of a permanent school for a school (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. (Details Supplied) for Rush and Lusk Educate Together National School

REPLY

This building project is currently at Stage 2B of the Architectural Planning process – Detailed Design Stage. The pre-qualification of contractors process has been carried out by the Design Team. 
The next stage of Architectural Planning for this project will be Stage 3 – tender stage which normally takes 7-8 months to complete. My Department will be in contact with the school regarding progression to tender stage.

This building project is included in my Department’s Construction Programme which is being delivered under the National Development Plan.

QUESTION

To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the status of the refurbishment and extension of a school (details supplied); when work will commence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. (Details Supplied) St. Finian’s Community College, Swords, Co. Dublin

REPLY

As the Deputy is aware, the project to which he refers is devolved to Dublin & Dún Laoghaire Education and Training Board (DDLETB) for delivery.

My Department is fully aware of the need to urgently progress this project. However, it is of the utmost importance that the final outcome for this project will be the correct one for both the school authority and the pupils. In that regard, I would like to inform the Deputy that arising from its due diligence in respect of the preparation of the revised pre-qualification process for this project, DDLETB has carried out a review of the project which puts forward an alternative option for progressing it. In that respect, DDLETB recently met on-site with officials from my Department who have now sought further documentation from the ETB. This documentation, when received, will further inform my Department’s active consideration of this proposal and will assist in determining the next steps to be taken in progressing the project. 

In this respect, it is therefore not possible to give a date as to when work will commence at this time.