My Department recently received a request from the school authority to retain a suite of rented, temporary accommodation at the school to which the Deputy refers. An official from my Schools’ Capital Appraisals Section will contact the school authority shortly to discuss the matter further. Also the long-term needs of the school are currently being reviewed and my Department will be in further contact with the Patron to discuss.
There is currently a project under the Department’s Additional Accommodation Scheme which has been devolved for delivery to the school authority. This project, which proceeded to site last summer, provides, inter alia, for 8 general classrooms, guidance rooms, special education needs classrooms, computer rooms, a staff room, a general purpose room, a science lab, and ancillary accommodation. The school has sought an increase in its furniture grant which is under consideration by officials in my Department. This project has 90% funding drawn down at this stage and is near completion.