Deputy Joe McHugh has welcomed progress on two Donegal schools projects which he lobbied to be included in the Schools Capital Programme.
The Donegal Deputy says progress is being made to advance to fruition new schools for St Mary’s National School in Stranorlar and Gaelscoil na gCeithre Maistrí, Donegal Town.
Minister McHugh says he is also continuing to lobby on behalf of a number of schools included in the programme including the Crana College campus and is continuing to ask that Royal & Prior in Raphoe is added to the capital programme.
McHugh says he has raised the Donegal schools capital funding programme with Minister Richard Bruton on a weekly basis to ensure progress.
The building project for St Mary’s is to provide a new three storey 24 classroom school with ancillary accommodation for more than 450 pupils and 25 staff.
“In terms of St Mary’s the building project for the school is at an advanced stage of architectural planning, Stage 2b – Detailed Design, which includes the applications for Planning Permission, Fire Cert and Disability Access Cert and the preparation of tender documents.
“The Disability Access Certificate has been secured. The Fire Safety Certificate was granted in October 2016 following an appeal to An Bord Pleanála which was upheld in favour of the Department.
“On 1st March 2017 the school and its Design Team were authorised to apply for an extension to the planning permission which was previously secured in 2012 and an extension to that effect was lodged with Donegal County Council at the end of March.
“When all Statutory Approvals are secured the Design Team will finalise the Stage 2(b) – Detailed Design submission which will be submitted to the Department for review.
“Following receipt and consideration of that report and subject to no further issues arising the Department will revert to the school at that time regarding the further progression of the school building project.”
The Minister said the project at Gaelscoil na gCeithre Maistrí, Donegal Town, will comprise of a new two storey 8 classroom primary school at the existing site at Brookfield in the town.
“I was delighted to have the gaelscoil included in the capital programme. The process of appointing a Design Team began on 24 January 2017 and that process is now at an advanced stage. A letter of acceptance along with the Standard Conditions of Engagement have issued to each of the four apparently successfully tenderers for signing,” said the Donegal TD.
Minister McHugh went on: “Once the appointment of a Design Team is finalised they and the school will commence the process of completing the Stage 1 Preliminary Design Stage of the Departments Design Team Procedures, which will include the assessment of the site and location, establish and analyse all constraints, develop a preferred option for the delivery of the brief and develop an initial sketch of the proposal.”
The Donegal TD added: “There is immense goodwill from Minister Bruton to all projects I have spoken to him about.
“There are a number of other school principals in the county awaiting updates on progress of schemes and I am organising for them to meet with Minister Bruton shortly so they can also be updated on progress.
“Despite the economic problems of recent years, this Government has continued to invest heavily in education in Donegal and that will continue into the future.”
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