Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 15 September 2020
391. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Education the additional immediate supports that will be provided for the students of a school (details supplied) while a building is being sourced; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23269/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Deputy will be aware that my Department has approved the provision of funding, under the Additional Accommodation Scheme, to provide for prefabricated accommodation for Dun Laoghaire Educate Together (and Red Door Special School) to meet the short to medium term accommodation needs of both schools and the pupils concerned at their current location. Some issues during the tendering process led to delays in the delivery of this project to the extent that it was not going to be completed in time to allow Dun Laoghaire Educate Together to open there for September.
Therefore, the school authority in Dun Laoghaire Educate Together worked closely with officials in my Department with a view to providing interim solutions to meet the needs of the school pending completion of this project. In that context, it was agreed that an existing building – a Dublin Dun Laoghaire ETB building on Eblana Avenue – would be refurbished with a view to facilitating its use for that purpose. I am pleased to inform the Deputy that this work was completed last week and the building is now in use by the school.
The Deputy may also wish to be aware that the Blackrock Education Centre kindly agreed to facilitate the opening of the school on 1st September at its premises for the few extra days that the works on the Eblana building took.
