Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 18 June 2013
136. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Education and Skills the reason a school (details supplied) in County Wicklow has only received sanction for a special needs unit as opposed to a completely furnished model, in line with other public private partnership arrangements and as per other schools in similar categories; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28953/13]
View answerThe school referred to by the Deputy was allocated over 500m² of accommodation for special needs pupils as part of a new building that contains 8550m² of accommodation in total. Funding of €6,500 for a dedicated special class was provided in addition to €7,000 to purchase equipment for the school's multi-sensory room. This level of funding is in accordance with the Department's current guidelines on funding special needs units and is provided to all primary and post-primary schools irrespective of the delivery methodology used.
In addition, grant aid may also be made available to schools to fund the purchase of special items of furniture for special needs pupils. This scheme applies to all children who are diagnosed as having special needs. Schools must apply directly to the Department with applications required to be supported with a report prepared by a professional who has assessed the pupil's needs. Only furniture approved by the Department in such cases will be funded.
I would again stress that in this specific school in addition to over 500m² of dedicated accommodation provided in an entirely new school, €13,000 of dedicated furniture and equipment was also provided in the new facility for special needs pupils.
