Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 12 March 2019
153. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Education and Skills his views on whether it is fair that funding will not be granted to resolve building conditions in a classroom at a school (details supplied) that will soon be used by a child with cystic fibrosis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11851/19]
View answerThe school to which the Deputy refers applied for funding under my Department's Emergency Works Scheme for flooring works at their school. As the scope of the works were outside the terms of the scheme, the application was refused and the school were advised that the correct mechanism for delivery of works of this nature was the Summer Works Scheme. The application did not contain any reference to the future enrolment of a pupil with special needs.
One of the purposes of the Emergency Works Scheme is to provide funding to facilitate inclusion and access for special needs pupils. Therefore, it is open to the school to submit a new application for Emergency Works funding to carry out universal access works to the school to facilitate the enrolment of a special needs pupil. The Emergency Works Circular and Application Form are both available on my Departments Website.
Upon receipt, the new application will be assessed and a decision will issue directly to the School Authorities as soon as possible.
