Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 18 January 2023
720. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Education if she will allow the board of management at a school (details supplied) to remove two prefabricated classrooms from the school yard given that they are no longer being used and are an impediment to the school's playing spaces; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [63768/22]
View answerI can confirm to the Deputy that a building project for the school in question has recently been completed and there are currently two rented prefabs located on the school grounds.
As the Deputy will be aware, the Department continues to work with all relevant authorities, education partners and school communities to welcome all students arriving in Ireland and to ensure that all these children, including Ukrainian children of school-going age, who are beneficiaries of the Temporary Protection Directive, are provided with access to appropriate supports to allow them to continue their education in Ireland.
In this unprecedented situation there is a requirement to retain all available school accommodation capacity as a contingency to meet the current and any future needs in relation to providing school places for these children. My Department is aware that County Clare is accommodating a significant number of beneficiaries of the Temporary Protection Directive which has impacted on school accommodation capacity in the county. The retention of the prefabs at the school in question is required in that context.
The requirement for the retention of prefabs will be kept under review as the situation continues to evolve and updated data becomes available.
