New school for Balbriggan, County Dublin

QUESTION

To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding a new school Hedgestown National School for Balbriggan, County Dublin; the stage at which the project is at; when construction will commence on the school; and if he will make a statement on the matter. 

REPLY

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

The project is currently at an advanced stage of architectural planning, Stage 2(b) - Detailed Design, which includes the application for statutory approvals and the preparation of tender documents. All statutory approvals have been secured.

Following the appointment of a replacement consultant architect, the Design Team has reviewed the previous Stage 2(b) documentation and upgraded 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 current Building Regulations.

A revised Stage 2(b) report has been submitted by the Design Team to the Department for review. Upon the commencement of the review of the submitted documentation the Department requested the Design Team to submit some additional revised documentation which has recently been received. Once the revised Stage 2(b) review is complete the Department will revert to the Board of Management regarding the progression of the project.