Special Educational Needs

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 28 June 2023

Wednesday, 28 June 2023

Questions (67)

Seán Crowe

Question:

67. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Education if she is aware that a school (details supplied) is without ASD classes from second class up to sixth class, that the current school building the ASD unit is situated within has been deemed unsuitable by Department inspectors, and that the principal has tried without success to engage with the school capital appraisal section; if support and resources will be put in place to bridge the gap in provision from second to sixth class; if there are any plans to provide modular accommodation for the ASD unit until more permanent accommodation is constructed; if she appreciates the enormous stress on students and their families when children have to leave the school and enrol at another in order to fully access education; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31417/23]

Written answers

Minister for Education

I can confirm to the Deputy that my Department is in receipt of an application for the Additional School Accommodation (ASA) scheme from the school in question.

The purpose of my Department's Additional School Accommodation (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. Where there is a need for accelerated delivery of such accommodation, my Department utilises Modern Methods of Construction, including my Department's Modular Accommodation Framework, to meet the accommodation need. My Department has additionally put Project Management provision in place to support schools in the expedited delivery of this accommodation.

My Department has been engaging with the school in question in relation to its ASA application and an offer of approval under the scheme has now been accepted by the school.

My officials will now progress this application to the next stage of the process and the project will be devolved to the school authorities for delivery. This approval includes the provision of interim accommodation and supports for contingency measures until this interim accommodation is in place.

My officials remain available to the school authorities in relation to this matter.