Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 20 September 2023
337. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Education the reason for delays with regard to the new building works at a special education school in County Tipperary; the immediate efforts she will make to expedite this project; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40197/23]
View answerI am pleased to advise that approval under the Additional School Accommodation scheme issued to the school in question for the provision of 3 x Junior SEN classrooms and 2 x Moderate classrooms.
The project is being delivered under the Department’s Devolved SEN Reconfiguration and Modular Accommodation programme. This programme involves the use of Project Management supports which is designed to enable the accommodation to be provided as quickly as possible and help ease the administrative workload for school authorities in relation to the management and delivery of projects. The use of the Department’s Modular Accommodation Framework also assists in ensuring lead in periods for procurement of modular accommodation are minimised to the greatest extent possible. To date, this has worked very well in the education sector and has seen delivery of large scale, high quality modular accommodation to meet the needs of children, particularly those with special educational needs.
Kerrigan Sheanan Newman Construction Consultants (KSN) has been appointed, from the Department’s Framework, to design and tender the project. This consultant will lead the project through the various stages of planning process and construction. 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
This modular building for the school in question will be a precast concrete structure and is currently in design, all statutory approvals including planning permission will be needed to deliver this accommodation and as a result the timeline for delivery is extended. As an interim measure, the school will be provided with modular units which are being relocated from an existing school site. This element of the project is progressing well and works have commenced on site.
The School Authority has devolved responsibility for delivery of this project.
