Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 23 November 2023
213. Deputy John Paul Phelan asked the Minister for Education the reason an approved extension development for a school (details supplied) was withdrawn; the reason no reason for the withdrawal was given to the school; to outline the proposals her Department has for increasing the school capacity; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [51722/23]
View answerI can confirm to the Deputy that the school in question was issued a provisional letter of offer following their application for capital funding under my Department's Additional School Accommodation Scheme. Following consultation with the school pre-cast modular accommodation was accepted by the school as the solution to best meet their particular needs.
The department has a range of delivery mechanisms for delivering school accommodation to support the current very strong and ambitious roll out of school building projects. This is particularly relevant given the overall challenging construction sector market.
In order to meet the varying needs of schools across the country my department has broadened its delivery streams and is utilising Modern Methods of Construction, including modular accommodation, as well as traditional construction delivery methods. Modular accommodation has particular advantages in terms of overall timelines and also climate impact in that it does not generally have a reliance on fossil fuels.
A number of factors are considered by my department in determining the most appropriate construction method to meet a school’s accommodation requirements, including the timing and duration of that accommodation need, and other school-specific factors.
In support of the expedited delivery of critical school accommodation my department has put in place a Modular Accommodation Framework. All of these supports help ensure that the administrative burden for schools on procuring and delivering modular accommodation solutions is significantly eased.
The Modular Accommodation Framework solution:
· Has significant benefits in terms of delivery timelines;
· Minimises the impact of the project on the operation of the school;
· Provides quality and sustainable accommodation that meets building regulation requirements and is Near Zero Energy Building (NZEB) compliant; and
· Climate proofing of the accommodation, given that the modular accommodation has the added benefit of utilising decarbonised heating sources which should also help with the school’s energy profile and costs.
Following the appointment of project managers to this project and consultation with the department on timelines for delivery it was indicated that pre-cast modular was not deliverable for September 2024. A collective decision was therefore made to review the projects selected for pre-cast modular delivery, where the need for accommodation was identified for September 2024.
On this basis the project for the school to which the Deputy refers to, was withdrawn from the pre-cast modular framework.
Officials in my department confirmed to the school that while the project was withdrawn from the pre-cast modular delivery route, it was not or has not been withdrawn from the Department's Additional Accommodation Scheme. Officials in my department liaised directly with the school to progress an alternative delivery steam for accommodation. Following this consultation, the school advised my department that they did not wish to proceed with modular accommodation. The long-term accommodation requirements for the school will need to be considered taking this into account.
My department have been engaging with the NCSE to determine the current requirements for places in special schools for September 2024.
