Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 8 September 2022
851. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Education when the permanent extension to a school (details supplied) will commence given that it is growing to a 1000-pupil school; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42603/22]
View answer854. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Education if she will consider front-loading ASD classes to a school (details supplied) given that it is growing to a 1000-pupil school; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42606/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 851 and 854 together.
I can confirm to the Deputy that my Department has been in contact with the patron of the school in question and it has been agreed to increase the enrolment capacity of the school to 1,000 pupils. My Department has already approved interim accommodation to support this growth and this devolved project is currently completed.
My Department is engaging with the patron of the school in question in order to put an appropriate permanent accommodation solution in place including the provision of classrooms for students with special education needs.
The NCSE has well established structures in place for engaging with schools and parents and seeks to ensure that schools in an area can, between them, cater for all children who have been identified as needing special class placements.
The NCSE is currently engaging in a process of establishing new classes by looking at local information in relation to projected demand for future special class places.
