Michael Moynihan
Question:113. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Education her strategy to ensure that all new school buildings meet universal design principles; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23661/22]
View answerThursday, 12 May 2022
Questions (113)
Written answers
I wish to assure the Deputy that the provision of modern, accessible school accommodation is a priority for my Department. This is in two respects: firstly in ensuring that there is sufficient provision for pupils with special education needs and secondly in designing school accommodation that meets the needs of all users - students and staff - and enhances the learning experience.
In addition to the specific accommodation provision for students with special education needs, the principles of universal design are embedded in all of my Department's technical guidance for school building projects, for the benefit of all school building users. The General Design Guidelines includes guidance on the principles of Universal Access as part of a whole school design approach.
Further to this, updated technical guidance on Post Primary School Design, Specialist Accommodation for Pupils with Special Educational Needs and Sanitary Facilities were published 2021. A suite of such Technical Guidance Documents is published on my Department's website at www.gov.ie. Such guidance draws on feedback from school authorities and reviews of a sample of completed projects. These practical and helpful guides provide very clear guidelines and approaches to be taken by school authorities in re-purposing/refurbishing existing accommodation for special education needs provisions, as well the establishing new classrooms of varying sizes.
Under Project Ireland 2040, the education sector will receive a total of approximately €4.4 billion capital investment over the period 2021-2025. This significant investment allows us to move forward with certainty on our ambitious plans and deliver high quality building projects, with a real focus on sustainability, for school communities across Ireland.
This investment will build on the good progress being made on adding capacity to cater for demographic changes and provision for children with special educational needs. This investment will also facilitate an increased focus on the modernisation of existing school stock and help transition the school system for an era of net zero carbon by 2050.