Paul Murphy
Question:304. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Education if she will ensure an ASD unit is added to a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17746/24]
View answerTuesday, 23 April 2024
Questions (304)
Written answers
I can confirm to the Deputy, that my department has received an application for capital funding, under the Additional School Accommodation (ASA) scheme, from the school authority in question
The purpose of my Department’s Additional School Accommodation (or ASA) scheme is to ensure that essential mainstream classroom accommodation and accommodation for pupils with special education needs is available to cater for pupils enrolled each year, where the need cannot be met by the school’s existing accommodation.
At primary level, this situation generally arises to cater for a school’s accommodation requirements where an additional teaching post has been sanctioned by Teacher Allocation Section, or the requirement for a new class for pupils with special education needs has been identified by the NCSE, and all available alternative accommodation within the school is already being used for classroom purposes.
The application for the school has been assessed and on foot of this assessment, technical input was sought from the technical team within the Department.
Officials are considering the technical input received to determine what approach is the most appropriate solution for this school.
Once a decision is reached, the school authorities will be contacted directly with a decision.