Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 18 April 2023
536. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Education if she will assess and address the needs of a school, (details supplied), for an indoor sports/multipurpose facility, changing rooms and general-purpose area to accommodate the increase in numbers enrolled for the 2023/2024 school year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17243/23]
View answer537. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Education if she will consider the allocation of temporary accommodation for a school (details supplied) to ensure the safe, orderly and efficient provision of physical education and extracurricular activities to accommodate the increase in numbers enrolled for the 2023/2024 school year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17244/23]
View answer557. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Education if a new school build (details supplied) can be fast tracked given the growing school population and the fact that there is no indoor sports/multipurpose facility to provide PE and extra-curricular activities which are currently unavailable; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17449/23]
View answer558. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Education if temporary accommodation could be provided to a school (details supplied) where it has been approved for a new build but currently has no indoor sports/multipurpose facility to provide PE and extra-curricular activities to students; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17450/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 536, 537, 557 and 558 together.
The Deputies will be aware that a building project for Roscommon Community College was approved under the Department's Additional Accommodation (ASA) Scheme. The project has been devolved for delivery to Galway and Roscommon Education and Training Board (GRETB).
The Design Team for this project was appointed in June 2022. The Stage 1 report was received in my Department recently and is currently under review. Following approval of the Stage 1 report, the next step for the ETB's Design Team will be to progress the project to Stage 2a (Developed Design) and obtain the statutory planning approvals.
PE halls are not funded under the Department’s ASA Scheme and therefore the Department cannot include the construction of a PE Hall for Roscommon Community College as part of this project. My Department can confirm however that the design and location of the PE hall is included in the master plan of the site to show how it can be added easily to the school at a later date. The second half of the NDP (from 2023 onwards) will see an increasing focus on the upgrade and refurbishment of the existing school stock. This will include a PE Hall build and modernisation programme to ensure that students in all post-primary schools have access to appropriate facilities to support PE provision.
In relation to temporary accommodation, my Department has approved modular accommodation for 6 mainstream classrooms and 1 Special Class for the school which is expected to be installed for the 2023/24 school year to cater for increasing enrolments at the school pending the construction of permanent extension.
My Department’s overall approach is to ensure that available capacity is maximised to the greatest extent possible as part of its consideration of applications for additional accommodation. Additionally, my Department is working to ensure that projects in the pipeline for planning and delivery are focused on maximising their alignment with overall capacity requirements. Engagement with relevant patrons will be important in this regard.
The provision of required school places, including for children with special educational needs, is a priority for my Department and my officials are working to ensure that there is sufficient provision to meet the school place needs across the county for 2023 and future years.
