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Special Educational Needs

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 26 July 2022

Tuesday, 26 July 2022

Questions (1052)

Jennifer Carroll MacNeill

Question:

1052. Deputy Jennifer Carroll MacNeill asked the Minister for Education if she will provide details in relation to a school (details supplied) that was recently granted planning permission for four new classroom SEN extensions; the next steps in the construction in this school; when this project will go to tender; when this extension will be open to receive SEN pupils aged seven to 12 years; the number of pupils that this extension will cater for; when the staff and funding for the project will be approved, both capital and current funding; if she will provide any other relevant information to this school’s project; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39847/22]

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Written answers

My Department approved grant aid to build a four-Classroom SEN Base at the school referred to by the Deputy under the Additional School Accommodation scheme. Typically, each special class base can cater for up to 6 pupils. Given the large scale of the project and to alleviate the burden on the school, Dublin and Dún Laoghaire Education and Training Board and latterly, Louth Meath Education and Training Board were asked to assist the school with the appointment of a design team.

To meet the school's immediate needs, further grant approval was given in February 2021 for the school to rent a temporary accommodation unit while the permanent project progresses. In March 2022, approval was issued to the school to progress the permanent building project to Stage 2a (developed design stage). Subject to the required statutory approvals, this will be followed by the issue of tenders, award and construction.

ASA projects are demand led and devolved to school authorities for implementation. The length of time a project takes to go through each stage varies and depends on a number of factors, including scale and complexity, and is subject to the time it takes to progress through the statutory approval process including planning where required. My Department has good streamlined arrangements in place to facilitate timely review of stage submissions to enable projects progress as quickly as possible. Based on the current information available, it is too early in the process to provide a timeline for completion of the project. I want to assure the Deputy that my Department approves the appropriate level of staffing to a school based in advance of the opening of special classes.

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