Paul Kehoe
Question:544. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Education the current status of the provision of accommodation for a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27722/23]
View answerTuesday, 13 June 2023
Questions (544)
Written answers
I can confirm to the Deputy, that my Department is in receipt of an application for capital funding, under the Additional School Accommodation (ASA) scheme from the school in question.
The purpose of the ASA scheme is to ensure that essential mainstream and special education classroom accommodation is available to cater for pupils enrolled each year and where the need cannot be met by the school’s existing accommodation.
I can assure the Deputy that my Department is working to ensure that there is appropriate school accommodation in place to meet the school place needs of all children. In the first instance, this is focussed on ensuring that the use of existing school accommodation capacity is fully optimised. Where additional capacity is required this can be provided by means of modular accommodation where accelerated delivery is required, or by means of traditional construction projects.
I can confirm that officials in my Department have been liaising with the school in question in relation to its application and its accommodation requirements for the 2023/24 school year. The Department is additionally cognisant of the long-term needs of the school, and across the local area.
The ASA application is currently being assessed and when this is completed the School Authority will be notified. My Department is working to complete this process as soon as possible.
Question No. 545 answered with Question No. 543.