Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 9 April 2024
466. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Education if a building unit site visit can be facilitated for two schools (details supplied) in County Westmeath; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14364/24]
View answerI can confirm to the Deputy, that my Department received a request to amalgamate, from the schools in question, in June 2022.
In March 2023, the school authorities were advised that the Department had no objection to the amalgamation, contingent on no capital funding being provided. The school authorities advised that their Boards of Management would give further consideration to the issue and revert to the Department in due course. However, to date there has been no correspondence from the school in relation to the matter.
I wish to advise the Deputy, that funding was provided for the provision of 1 x Special Education Modular Classroom, under the Additional School Accommodation (ASA) scheme, for one of the schools in question in 2023. The modular accommodation has been delivered on site and the class has since opened.
