141. Deputy Noel McCarthy asked the Minister for Education and Youth when she expects her Department to make a green area available for use by schools (details supplied). [74720/26]

A campus project was delivered for three schools - Carrigtwohill Community College, Scoil Mhuire Naofa Carrigtwohill, and Scoil Cliodhna Community National School – as part of my department's Design and Build programme.  The project was completed in Q4 2023.

The schools on the campus have sought to use a green area which forms part of the site for recreation purposes. The area in question is not suitable for use as a formal playing pitch, as it is required as an attenuation basin under the flood management system for the campus.  However, the department is pleased to support the schools' access to the green area as an informal recreation space.

A scope of works and the associated costs had previously been received in my department for the proposed works, but on review, it is my departments recommendation that a more cost-effective solution be developed and resubmitted for further consideration.

Meetings between the programme manager and the contractors design team have been held at the site and the revised scope of works is expected to be submitted shortly to my department for review. Upon receipt, review and agreement by my department, procurement of a contractor to complete the works can be undertaken.

Until then, it is not possible to give a timeline for commencement of the works and the timeline for completion, which will facilitate student access to the bunded green area.

On completion of the works, my department intend that the lands be handed over to Cork Education & Training Board to manage and maintain.

My department continues to have positive and productive engagement with the three schools and their patrons throughout all stages of this project and will continue to support the schools on the new school campus.