Stage 1
Keys and Monaghan Architects (Eamonn Monaghan) met with Leitrim County Council on 16 May 2025 to discuss road services at Scoil Mhuire Naofa. At this meeting the following was discussed:
- DoE brief and outline of proposals
- Current Set Down layout including drop off and pick up times
- Staff parking
- Traffic congestion
Eamonn Monaghan and Jake Brogan met with school management and staff on 30 May 2025. In this meeting they presented 6 options for the school and Board of Management to consider (see attached). After careful consideration and much deliberation, Option 6 was picked as the preferred option for the school extension. Option 6 (see Scoil Mhuire Naofa Carrigallen Site Plan) was sent to the entire Design Team for design and costing. 3 options must be put forward to the DoE at Stage 1 for them to consider with the positives and negatives for each one attached. The positives identified by the BoM and school staff are:
- Fulfils the brief with a floor area of 895.3m2 for the extension. The Brief area is 844sqm which excludes the additional space for changing places toilet, boiler room extension and link to the existing school.
- Location will allow for full inclusion of the SEN Base within school community.
- This option allows for South and West facing play areas for the SEN accommodation.
- Compact plan means minimum footprint and obstruction to existing play and green areas within the site.
- Secure play areas for all 4 SB Classrooms in nearby, making supervision easier during play time.
- The sensory garden is located within the heart of the SEN unit, making it a safe, secure area that can be overlooked and enjoyed by all users of the extension and potentially the main school.
- Future extension is easily achieved to the West and East as shown with arrows and dotted rectangles on the site plan on the previous page.
The Stage 1 report is due to be sent to the Department of Education in January 2026 for their consideration and approval. The current Draft Programme for our extension is as follows:
2026
- January to March 2026 DoE Approval
- April to June 2026 Prepare and submit planning for the school extension
- June 2026 Advertisement of planning and site notice erected
- June to October 2026 Planning application process
- September to October 2026 Application for Fire Safety Cert and processing by Leitrim CoCo
- September to October 2026 Application for Disability Access Cert and processing by Leitrim CoCo
- November to December 2026 Stage 2a Approval by the DoE to proceed
2027
- December 2026 to February 2027 Preparation of construction drawings and specifications
- February 2027 to March 2027 Preparation of Bills of Quantity and tender documentation
- May to June 2027 Tender period
- June 2027 Tender assessment and report
- July to August 2027 DoE Approval to proceed
- August 2027 Appointment of contractor and stand still period
- September 2027 Construction
2028
January to September 2028 Construction
