Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 1 February 2022
131. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Education if she will provide a progress report on her most recent efforts to provide certainty regarding enrolment in September 2022 for ASD pupils at a school (details supplied) in County Cork; the position regarding acquisition of a site for the school; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4660/22]
View answerI would like to assure the Deputy that the provision of accommodation for pupils with special education needs is a priority for my Department and my officials are aware of the pressing requirement for the provision of post primary classes for pupils with special education needs in the area to which the Deputy refers.
My Department is considering all options for the school in question for its September 2022 interim accommodation, including SEN provision, and will keep the school authority and its patron updated in this regard.
In respect of the permanent accommodation solution for the school in question, my Department continues to engage with officials in the relevant local authority in relation to the identification and acquisition of a suitable site.
A potential suitable site has been identified in conjunction with the Local Authority and my Department is currently exploring all options available to it to obtain possession of this site.
