Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 1 December 2020
412. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education the degree to which provision has been made for extra accommodation required at a school (details supplied); if cognisance is taken as to whether extra places need to be made in the short-term; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40112/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraI can confirm to the Deputy, that the school in question was approved capital funding in 2020, for additional accommodation under my Department’s Additional School Accommodation scheme (ASA). This approval is to provide 2 mainstream classrooms, 3 Special Education Teaching rooms and the reconfiguration of existing classrooms to accommodate an Early Intervention class. Funding was also granted for additional interim temporary accommodation, to assist in addressing the school's current enrolment need, pending the delivery of the new build at which time the school will have permanent accommodation to cater for it's staffing needs in line with the school's recognition of a P+24 mainstream teacher school. The current project brief was agreed with the school authority prior to initiation.
I can also confirm to the Deputy, that there is capacity in other primary schools in the school planning area. Similar to the process adopted in advance of the current academic year, my Department is engaging with patron bodies, including the patrons in question, to identify particular capacity requirements for the forthcoming year(s) which may necessitate action.
