Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 21 June 2022
572. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Education if she will provide an update on the extension works to be carried out at a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32521/22]
View answerI can confirm to the Deputy that my Department is aware of proposals under consideration by the school in question and a third party which may facilitate the submission of an application for additional school accommodation. My Department has advised the school authority on how to progress such an application under the Additional School Accommodation (ASA) scheme following their discussion with the third party.
The purpose of the ASA scheme is to ensure that essential mainstream classroom and Special Education Needs (SEN) accommodation is available to cater for pupils enrolled each year, where the need cannot be met by the school’s existing accommodation.
The main focus of resources over the last decade and for the coming period is on provision of additional capacity to cater for increasing demographics. The latter stage of the National Development Plan will see an increasing focus on the upgrade and refurbishment of the existing school stock.
