Cavan/Monaghan Fianna Fáil T.D. Brendan Smith raised again recently in Dáil Éireann the need to provide new permanent accommodation for the Holy Family School, Cootehill.

Through Parliamentary Questions in Dáil Éireann Deputy Smith asked the Minister for Education and Skills the present position regarding the proposed building project for the school, if she is aware of the urgent need to provide appropriate permanent accommodation due to the continued growth of enrolment in the school over the years, when this project is likely to proceed to tender, the expected timescale for construction and provision of new permanent accommodation and if she would make a detailed statement on the matter.

The Minister for Education and Skills, Jan O’Sullivan in her reply in Dáil Éireann to Deputy Smith stated –

The project to provide permanent accommodation for the school to which the Deputy refers is currently at Stage 2a (Developed Design) of the architectural planning process. Planning permission, fire certificate and disability access certificates have all been obtained. The project will shortly progress to completion of Stage 2(b), which includes the preparation of tender documents.

Arising from the school’s recent request for further additional accommodation, my Department requested the school’s design team to explore options for providing this. When a response has been received and considered, my Department will convey a decision to the school. As the Deputy is aware, school building projects, including the project to which he refers, which have been initiated but not included in the current five year construction programme, will continue to be progressed to final planning stages in anticipation of the possibility of further funds being available to my Department in the future, stated Minister O’Sullivan.

Brendan Smith, T.D., stated that it is essential that this particular project is progressed to construction stage as soon as possible as the school provides an excellent service for so many pupils from the Cavan/Monaghan area and its enrolment increased substantially over the years and it needs appropriate accommodation.

Deputy Smith stated that he will continue to pursue this matter with the Department of Education and with the Minister and he complimented the Principal and the Board of Management, Parents’ Association on their ongoing efforts and continued commitment in trying to progress this project to a satisfactory conclusion.

Uimhir:1352

Chun an Aire Oideachais agus Eolaíoctha
To the Minister for Education and Science

To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding the
proposed project for a school (details supplied) in County Cavan; if she is
aware of the urgent need to provide appropriate permanent accommodation, due to
the continued growth of enrolment in this school over the years; when this
project is likely to proceed to tender; the expected timescale for construction
and provision of new permanent accommodation; and if she will make a statement
on the matter.
– Brendan Smith.

* For WRITTEN answer on Tuesday, 22nd September, 2015.
Reference Number: 32232/15

Minister Jan O’Sullivan

The project to provide permanent accommodation for the school to which the
Deputy refers is currently at Stage 2a (Developed Design) of the architectural
planning process. Planning permission, fire certificate and disability access
certificates have all been obtained. The project will shortly progress to
completion of Stage 2(b), which includes the preparation of tender documents.

Arising from the school’s recent request for further additional accommodation,
my Department requested the school’s design team to explore options for
providing this. When a response has been received and considered, my Department
will convey a decision to the school.

As the Deputy is aware, school building projects, including the project to
which he refers, which have been initiated but not included in the current five
year construction programme, will continue to be progressed to final planning
stages in anticipation of the possibility of further funds being available to
my Department in the future.