Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 22 September 2015
1269. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Education and Skills the reason for refusal a special needs unit to a school (details supplied) in County Kildare; and the level of special needs a school must reach before receiving this type of assistance. [31260/15]
View answerI wish to advise the Deputy that I understand an application to establish a Special Needs Class was made directly to the primary school to which the Deputy refers. I understand however that this application was not proceeded with at this time due to the current accommodation arrangements of the school in question. The position is that the school building in which the primary school in question is accommodated is also hosting a new post-primary school during its start-up years. This school building is currently at capacity. It is my Department's intention to construct a new building for the post-primary school and a site has been acquired for this purpose. It will be open to the Patron to re-consider establishing a special class in the primary school in question when the new permanent post-primary school has been constructed.
