Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 30 July 2020
11. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Education and Skills the status of the new building for a school (details supplied); the way in which special needs schools will operate when they reopen in view of to Covid-19; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18473/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe project at Holy Family Special School is for the construction of a new 26 classroom special needs school, with a floor area of 5310sqm. The project commenced on site in June 2018 with a contract duration of approximately 27 months.
The contractor appointed on the building project has recommenced construction activity on site and is operating in compliance with the ‘Return to Work Safely Protocol’. The anticipated substantial completion date is December 2020.
The Government published the Roadmap for the full Return to School on Monday which sets out
how schools will reopen for all students from the end of August, and what the operation of our schools will look like in a COVID-19 context. The roadmap outlines a comprehensive range of measures being provided to support the full reopening of schools in time for the start of the new school year in late
August.
My Department has engaged with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform on the requirements to provide funding to schools for measures such as enhanced cleaning regimes and PPE. My Department has also arranged for a drawdown framework to be established to enable schools purchase hand-sanitisers and PPE for use in the school and classroom. The procurement process for this framework has already commenced and it is intended these materials will be available in early August.
My Department’s ongoing work with education partners and other key stakeholders on guidance for re-opening schools is aimed at reducing the burden on schools at a local level by providing central guidance and supports to the greatest extent possible by the end of July in order to allow time for schools to implement the necessary arrangements locally.
