Cathal Crowe
Question:1072. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Education if special consideration will be given to the additional school accommodation scheme application made by a school (details supplied). [20350/21]
View answerWednesday, 21 April 2021
Questions (1072)
Written answers
I am pleased to advise the Deputy that my Department has recently approved capital funding, under the Additional School Accommodation Scheme, for the provision of specialist permanent additional accommodation to cater for increased needs at the school in question.
As the Deputy is aware, the main focus of resources over the last decade and for the coming period is on the provision of additional capacity to cater for increasing demographics. The second half of the NDP (from 2023 onwards) will see an increasing focus on the upgrade and refurbishment of the existing school stock. This will include a PE Hall build and modernisation programme to ensure that students in all post-primary schools have access to appropriate facilities to support PE provision. The immediate priority of the Department is providing new and replacement school places each year, to ensure that every child has a school place. The school authority, in question. has been informed that their application for PE Hall facilities will be considered as part of the NDP roll out.
I wish to confirm that my Department previously approved significant funding for the provision of a Special Educational Needs Base inclusive of a Central Activities Space, this project was completed in 2020.