I wish to advise the Deputy that my Department refused grant to the school in question as it considers that the school has sufficient essential classroom accommodation to meet its current needs. The school's application was considered in the context of the very significant challenges facing my Department in prioritising available capital funding for essential mainstream classrooms to meet the demand for extra school places and where an additional teacher has been appointed. My Department has written to the school authority to clarify the position.
It is open to the school authority to submit any additional information that may not have been provided with the original application e.g. the appointment of an additional teacher. Any additional information submitted will be considered by my Department and a response will be conveyed directly to the school.