Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 20 March 2024
535. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Education for an update on the prefabricated classroom which was applied for in March 2023 for a school in Donegal town (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13037/24]
View answerI can confirm to the Deputy, that my department received an application in 2023 for capital funding, under the Additional Schools’ Accommodation (ASA) scheme from the school in question.
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 or at other schools in the area.
My department's focus is on the most critical needs for the next school year and how each individual school’s accommodation can be best utilised and at capacity across schools in each school planning area. In the context of making most effective use of our capital allocation, and mindful of climate action goals, my officials are working to make sure that all school accommodation capacity is being maximised.
The consideration of the accommodation requirements for the school in question forms part of the Planning and Building Unit’s overall assessment of its work programme and priorities in the context of available capital funding. Unfortunately it is not therefore possible to give an indication at this point in time of the timeframe for the provision of additional accommodation at the school.
The provision of required school places, including for children with special education needs, is a priority for my department.
In general, demographics have been falling at primary level and are due to continue to decrease. Therefore the Department considers it prudent to maximise the use of existing spare accommodation capacity at primary level in the first instance, before considering any applications for further accommodation needs. This is in line with public spending requirements.
I can assure the Deputy that 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 area for 2024/25 and future years.
