Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 2 November 2021
546. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Education the status of and position regarding her Department's contacts with a school (details supplied) in respect of the need for a new building programme at the school; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52908/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI can confirm to the Deputy that an application under my Department’s Additional School Accommodation (ASA) Scheme was received from the school in question. The purpose of the ASA scheme is to ensure that essential mainstream classroom and Special Education Needs (SEN) accommodation is available to cater for pupils enrolled each year, where the need cannot be met by the school’s existing accommodation.
The main focus of resources over the last decade and for the coming period is on provision of additional capacity to cater for increasing demographics. The second half of the National Development Plan will see an increasing focus on the upgrade and refurbishment of the existing school stock.
The school’s application is currently being assessed by my officials which shall include any necessary technical assessment. Upon completion of this process, the school authority will be contacted directly with a decision.
