An ASD unit has been sanctioned by the National Council for Special Education for the school referred to by the Deputy. A Band 1 rating has been assigned to the project under the published prioritisation for large scale building projects. This is the highest Band rating possible, which reflects the urgency which the Department attaches to the project.
The commencement and progression of all large scale building projects from initial design stage through to construction phase, including this project, will be considered on an on-going basis in the context of my Department's Multi-Annual School Building and Modernisation Programme. However, in light of current competing demands on the capital budget of the Department, it is not possible to give an indicative timeframe for the further progression of the project at this time.