Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 24 October 2023
304. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Education further to Parliamentary Question No. 245 of 26 September 2023, if she will expedite an additional school accommodation application for a school in County Clare (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46694/23]
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 for replacement of a prefab which currently accommodates 2 SET rooms, a sensory room and a preschool.
The purpose of the Additional Schools 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.
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 focused 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 from my Department have made further contact with the school in question following a proposed brief being issued to the school on 26 September 2023. The school are considering further options regarding the delivery of accommodation proposed. My Department awaits a reply from the school in this regard.
