Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 30 November 2023
129. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Education if she will report on the need for education to take account of the curtailed nature of the existing site for a school (details supplied); the approved appropriate funding for the additional space that is required; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52661/23]
View answerI can confirm to the Deputy, that my Department is in receipt of an application for the Additional School Accommodation (ASA) scheme, from the school authority in question.
My Department's Professional and Technical Section carried out a desktop exercise to determine the scope of accommodation that could be considered for the school, taking account of the restricted school site. It was determined that any project at the site in question was going to entail demolition and replacement of the school's existing PE Hall.
My officials met with the school on foot of this exercise and has had further subsequent engagement with school representatives. The challenges of the proposed project, including Value for Money considerations have been raised.
The main focus of my Department’s capital funding over the last decade and for the coming period is on provision of critical additional capacity to cater for increasing demographics and children with special education needs.
My Department is required to manage the overall school building programme so that we target and prioritise areas that are under greatest pressure for additional school places. This reflects our fundamental objective of ensuring the availability of a school place for every child.
The overall position with regard to potential modernisation and replacement of existing infrastructure will be kept under review as capital funding allocations for future years are clarified.
The Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform will be engaging with Departments on NDP allocations for the period 2026 to 2028 over the coming months, with allocation decisions expected during the first half of 2024.
I can assure the Deputy that the provision of required school places, including for children with special educational needs, is a priority for my Department and my officials are working to ensure that there is sufficient provision to meet the school place needs in the school in question and the wider School Planning Area for future years.
My officials will continue to work with the school in question in order to come to a solution for the accommodation needs of the school.
