Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 20 February 2024
317. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Education when the provision of extra accommodation will be approved for a school in County Galway (details supplied); the reason for the delay in making a decision on the school’s application; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8078/24]
View answerI wish to advise the Deputy that the school referred to have been approved funding under my departments Additional School Accommodation (ASA) Scheme for 2 mainstream classrooms, 4 special education tuition rooms and conversion works for 2 special education classrooms.
I can confirm that an initial preliminary design for this project was submitted to my Department by the school’s design team for review. The design submitted included works that were not sanctioned by my Department. Officials from my Department were in communication with the school authority requesting clarification on these issues. The school were informed at that stage, that in order to proceed with this project based on the design submitted they would need to submit a new application to Schools Capital Appraisal Section ensuring to increase the scope of the project to incorporate the additional items they require. Subsequently, officials from Schools Capital Appraisal Section have been in contact with the school authority and clarified the original approved scope of works. The school has been advised to submit a new preliminary design to reflect the approved project brief.
My Department is still awaiting this submission.
This project is devolved to the school authority for delivery.
The school also received approval for funding under my Departments Modular Accommodation Programme for the provision of 1 special education classroom and 1 mainstream classroom which is currently on site.
