Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 5 July 2023
99. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Education for an update on the status of an application by a school (details supplied) for additional accommodation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32997/23]
View answerI 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 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.
However, the wider context in relation to the overall modular market is challenging with modular accommodation suppliers being very busy across commercial, housing and other sectors.
The Department is working closely with the Project Management teams and the modular accommodation suppliers to ensure additional capacity for the schools sector is delivered as quickly as possible, including to the school in question.
In addition, my Department is liaising with all schools that have accommodation requirements for the coming school year in relation to their contingency planning arrangements and any supports required for same.
