Written Answers Nos. 192-211
192. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Education her plans to provide funding to ensure that defibrillators are in place in all special schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43662/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department recognises the importance of the Minor Works Grant to primary schools. The funding provides good flexibility at local level to assist schools to manage and undertake works that support the operation of the school.
All primary schools receive a flat rate Minor Works Grant of €5,500 plus €18.50 per mainstream pupil and €74 per special needs pupil on the school roll on the 30th September of the year prior to the issue of the grant. (The €74 rate applies to a special needs pupil attending a special school or attending a special class attached to a mainstream school).
A total of €280 million in Minor Works Grants and Enhanced Minor Works Grants has been allocated to schools between 2018 and 2022.
For the school year 2022/2023, to provide additional support in the context of Covid-19 the payment of an Enhanced minor works grant totalling €45m for primary schools and special schools, plus once-off Covid-19 minor works funding of €17m for post-primary schools was issued in December 2021.
For the school year 2023/2024 minor works grant funding totalling €29m for primary schools and special schools issued in April 2023.
Schools have the autonomy to use this funding for maintenance and small-scale improvements to school buildings and grounds. Given that each school setting is different, individual schools are best placed to decide how best to use this funding to address their particular needs.
The works that can be undertaken under the minor works scheme include maintenance and small-scale improvements to school buildings and grounds, improvement or replacement of mechanical and electrical services, the purchase of standard furniture and physical education equipment, the purchase of floor coverings and window blinds, the purchase of IT related equipment, ventilation improvements, enhancements to outdoor learning environments and the purchase of equipment such as defibrillators.
Additional information on the Minor Works Grant can be accessed at: www.gov.ie/en/service/4e6ef-minor-works-grant/#grant-scheme-for-minor-works.
193. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Education when a response will be issued to correspondence from this Deputy (details supplied). [43684/23]
Amharc ar fhreagra194. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Education if she will facilitate a meeting requested by a school (details supplied) in Dublin. [43685/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 193 and 194 together.
In 2006/07 a major project was carried out at the school referred to by the Deputy, the project reached substantial completion in June 2008.
My Department is aware that there are issues with Pyrite in the school and my Department has provided funding under the Emergency Works Scheme to repair damage to floors and their surrounds caused by Pyrite. It remains open to the school to submit further applications to alleviate any Health and Safety issues caused by pyrite.
Department officials are currently coordinating a date to meet with the school authorities in an effort to get the issues raised resolved, they will be in further contact with the school in due course.
195. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Education the funding and grants available to schools for ICT infrastructure, such as desktop PCs, projectors and printers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43687/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Digital Strategy for Schools to 2027 was published last year and is underpinned by an investment of €200m to support its implementation, committed to under Ireland’s National Development Plan (NDP). The first tranche of €50m issued to all recognised primary and post-primary schools in late 2021.
The previous Digital Strategy for Schools 2015 to 2020 saw overall investment of €210m issued to all recognised primary and post-primary schools in annual grant funding. This funding enabled schools to invest in appropriate digital infrastructure to enable the embedding of the use of digital technology in teaching, learning and assessment.
Funding of €50m secured as part of Ireland's National Recovery and Resilience Plan under the NextGenerationEU Recovery and Resilience Facility also issued to all recognised schools in the free education scheme to support learners at risk of educational disadvantage through the digital divide in late 2021.
My Department intends to pay the next tranche of ICT grant funding in the 2023 to 2024 school year. The specific timing for issue of the ICT grant is subject to the availability of Exchequer funding and the wider capital needs of the Department including the building programme to ensure the supply of school accommodation.
As part of the forthcoming Review of the National Development Plan, my Department’s aim is to provide better clarity and certainty for schools on the timelines for payment of minor works and ICT grant funding.
Minor Works Grant funding for primary and special schools can be used not only for the maintenance and small-scale improvements to school buildings and grounds but also for the provision of ICT infrastructure in schools.
196. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Education for an update on a building (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43691/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy is aware, the school to which he refers is in rented accommodation and my Department has had long-standing engagement with the school's patron regarding the permanent solution for the school. My Department is currently working to identify the most appropriate location for the school in the long-term, and a proposal recently received from the school patron forms part of that consideration.
My officials are aware of the constraints on the school's current accommodation and the requirement for a permanent solution for the school and will continue to engage with the school patron is this regard.
197. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Education if she is aware of the current difficulties facing many parents in accessing school bus routes (details supplied); and if she plans to address the lack of capacity in the school bus service. [43694/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe School Transport Scheme is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department of Education. In the 2022/2023 school year, over 149,000 children, including over 18,000 children with special educational needs, were transported on a daily basis to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country.
In addition, school transport scheme services were provided for over 5,400 children who have arrived to Ireland from Ukraine.
The total cost of the scheme in 2022 was €338.9m.
Already over 133,000 tickets have issued for the 2023/2024 school year which is an increase of 12% when compared with the start of the 2022/2023 school year. The number of tickets issued has already exceeded the total number of tickets issued in the 2022/23 school year.
Unfortunately in recent weeks, a number of difficulties have arisen in some localities with a small number of contracted services, including the services in this area.
Bus Éireann has advised that a new contractor has now been sourced for the route referred to by the Deputy and the service commenced on the 25/09/2023.
198. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Education for an update on the school transport review; when the review will be published; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43697/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe School Transport Scheme is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department of Education. In the 2022/2023 school year, over 149,000 children, including over 18,000 children with special educational needs, were transported on a daily basis to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country.
In addition, school transport scheme services were provided for over 5,400 children who have arrived to Ireland from Ukraine.
The total cost of the scheme in 2022 was €338.9m.
Already over 133,000 tickets have issued for the 2023/2024 school year which is an increase of 12% when compared with the start of the 2022/2023 school year The number of tickets issued so far has already exceeded the total number of tickets issued in the 2022/23 school year.
A review of the School Transport Scheme is nearing completion. The review is being conducted with a view to examining the current scheme, its broader effectiveness and sustainability, and to ensure that it serves students and their families adequately.
The final report of the review will include recommendations on the future operation of the Department’s School Transport Scheme. Once approved by Government, it is planned that the review will be published.
199. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Education the efforts being made by her Department and the NCSE to ensure a person (details supplied) obtains a school place suitable to their specified educational needs for the 2024-2025 school year where the family have applied to all schools on the list provided by their local SENO but are unlikely to be offered a place; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43721/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraI would like to thank the Deputy for the question and would like to advise the following:
Enabling children with special educational needs to receive an education is a priority for this government. It is also a key priority for me as Minister for Special Education & Inclusion, for my department and for the National Council for Special Education (NCSE).
The vast majority of children with special educational needs are supported to attend mainstream classes with their peers. Where children with more complex needs require additional supports, special classes and special school places are provided.
For 2023, the spend by my department on special education has been substantially increased by over 10% on last year, meaning that for 2023 my department will spend over €2.6 billion on special education.
This level of educational funding and support is unprecedented and represents in excess of 27% of the department’s total allocation for 2023.
This includes funding to support children with special educational needs in mainstream classes; funding for new special classes and new special school places; additional special educational teachers, special needs assistants (SNAs) and funding for the National Educational Psychological Service (NEPS).
In 2023, the number of teaching and SNA posts in our schools will increase with an additional 686 teachers and a further 1,194 SNAs.
For the first time ever there will be over 19,000 teachers working in the area of special education and over 20,000 SNAs. Together we have almost 40,000 qualified and committed people in our schools who are focused wholly and exclusively on supporting children with special educational needs.
The NCSE has the responsibility for planning and coordinating school supports for children with special educational needs.
Over the last number of years, my department and the NCSE have introduced a number of strategic initiatives to plan for and provide sufficient special class and special school places.
These initiatives are bearing fruit with almost 1,300 new special classes sanctioned and seven new special schools established over the last four years.
My department engage intensely with the NCSE in relation to the forward planning of new special classes and additional special school places. This work involves a detailed review of statistical data in relation to forecasting demand for special class places, consideration of improved data sharing arrangements and a particular focus on the provision of special classes at post-primary level.
As a result of this forward planning, earlier this year, Minister Foley and l announced the establishment of two special schools for the 2023/24 school year, with further capacity being expanded in 11 other special schools.
Along with the two new special schools, 389 new special classes – 252 at primary and 137 at post-primary level – have been sanctioned by the NCSE for opening in the 2023/24 school year.
In Dublin, 77 new special classes have been sanctioned, 51 at primary level and 26 at post-primary level, bringing the total number of special classes in Co. Dublin to 540.
Information on the list of schools with special classes, the types and locations of these classes is published on the NCSE website and is available at: www.ncse.ie/special-classes
Parents seeking special class placements for their children are advised to contact the NCSE locally so that their needs can be taken into account for planning purposes. The local special educational needs organisers (SENOs) remain available to assist and advise parents of children with special educational needs. Parents may contact SENOs directly using the contact details available at: www.ncse.ie/regional-services-contact-list
As your query refers to an individual placement case, I will arrange to have it referred to the NCSE for their attention and direct reply.
My department and the NCSE are committed to delivering an education system that is of the highest quality and where every child and young person feels valued and is actively supported and nurtured to reach their full potential.
200. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Education if she will ensure that a bus is sourced for a school (details supplied), to ensure that children with additional needs can get to and from school; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43731/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe School Transport Scheme is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department of Education. In the 2022/23 school year, over 149,000 children, including over 18,000 children with special educational needs, were transported on a daily basis to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country.
In addition, school transport scheme services are being provided in the current school year for over 5,400 children who have arrived to Ireland from Ukraine.
The total cost of the scheme in 2022 was €338.9m.
Already over 133,000 tickets have issued for the 2023/2024 school year which is an increase of 12% when compared with the start of the 2022/2023 school year. The number of tickets issued so far has already exceeded the total number of tickets issued in the 2022/23 school year.
Under the terms of the Department's School Transport Scheme for Children with Special Educational Needs, children are eligible for transport where they are attending the nearest recognised school that is or can be resourced to meet their special educational needs.The National Council for Special Education through its network of Special Education Needs Organisers (SENOs) acts in an advisory role to the Department on the suitability of placements for children with special educational needs.Bus Éireann has reported in recent weeks that unfortunately, for a small number of families, assigned to Special Educational Needs transport services that had been secured, a number of difficulties have arisen in some localities with a small number of contracted services.
Bus Éireann is working intensively to ensure that transport arrangements are put in place as soon as possible. Bus Éireann has advised that the service referred to by the Deputy is currently in the procurement process and once a suitable contractor is sourced Bus Éireann will contact the families directly.
Both the Department and Bus Éireann are very conscious of the challenges faced by parents awaiting transport for students with special educational needs. Families of children who are eligible for these services may therefore avail of the Special Transport Grant which is a once off payment, paid retrospectively to families once the School Transport service is in place and is to assist with the cost of private transport arrangements the family had put in place until services are finalised. The Department of Education will be in contact with families in relation to this interim grant. Further information can be found at : gov.ie/schooltransport.
201. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Education if she will give consideration to a number of measures (details supplied) to tackle the school transport issues in County Clare at present. [43752/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe School Transport Scheme is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department of Education. In the 2022/2023 school year, over 149,000 children, including over 18,000 children with special educational needs, were transported on a daily basis to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country. In addition, school transport scheme services were provided for over 5,400 children who have arrived to Ireland from Ukraine.The total cost of the scheme in 2022 was €338.9m.Already over 133,000 tickets have issued for the 2023/2024 school year which is an increase of 12% when compared with the start of the 2022/2023 school year. The number of tickets issued so far has already exceeded the total number of tickets issued in the 2022/23 school year.
In recent weeks, Bus Éireann issued tickets for school transport on bus services that had been secured. Unfortunately a number of difficulties have arisen in some localities involving a small number of contracted services, including a number of services in the Clare region. Bus Éireann is working intensively to ensure that transport arrangements are put in place as soon as possible. The School Transport team is continuing to prioritise arrangements to ensure transport can be sourced and put in place as soon as possible. The Department will continue to liaise with all relevant bodies including the National Transport Authority and will continue to explore all available options for areas where transport is not yet in place.
Bus Éireann manage the operation of the school transport scheme which includes the procurement of contractors for over 94% of routes nationally. Part-time School Bus Drivers and drivers nominated by private operators who operate service as part of the School Transport Scheme may operate on the scheme from age 19 depending on the level of experience, vehicle, and category of licence held. Drivers can continue to perform in the role provided they hold the requisite license and satisfy an annual medical examination until they retire at age 70. This policy and criteria is applied to all drivers who provide school transport services on behalf of Bus Éireann equally.
Individual queries related to social welfare assistance, are a matter for the Department of Social Protection.
202. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education if any assistance in respect of school transport can be provided to a number of local families (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43762/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe School Transport Scheme is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department of Education. In the 2022/2023 school year, over 149,000 children, including over 18,000 children with special educational needs, were transported on a daily basis to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country.
In addition, school transport scheme services were provided for over 5,400 children who have arrived to Ireland from Ukraine.
The total cost of the scheme in 2022 was €338.9m.
Already over 133,000 tickets have issued for the 2023/2024 school year which is an increase of 12% when compared with the start of the 2022/2023 school year. The number of tickets issued so far has already exceeded the total number of tickets issued in the 2022/23 school year.
A pupil with special educational needs is eligible for school transport if they are attending the nearest recognised: mainstream school, special class/special school or a unit, that is or can be resourced, to meet the child's special educational needs under Department of Education criteria.
Eligibility is determined following consultation with the National Council for Special Education through its network of Special Education Needs Organisers (SENO).
There was a 30% increase in the number of special educational transport journeys from 2019 to the 2022/2023 school year, and already over 1,400 new applications have been received since July for the 2023/2024 school year.
New applications for the 2023/2024 school year will be catered for through a mix of new services (some being individual), children being accommodated on existing services where capacity exists, extensions of existing routes and grants to families.
Bus Éireann has confirmed that the pupil referred to by the Deputy is allocated to route B3022 and that this route is unfortunately not operating at present.
Bus Éireanns Local Office are intensively working to source a suitable contractor and driver to operate this route.
A Special Transport Interim Grant is available to families of children with special educational needs who, following the application process, are eligible under the terms of the school transport scheme and were awaiting a School Transport service to be put in place.
This grant is a once off payment. The interim grant is offered from the date of application to assist with the cost of private transport arrangements the family had put in place until a transport service is ready to commence. Further information on the Special Transport Interim Grant can be found at: gov.ie/schooltransport. If the family have any queries in relation to this grant, they can contact officials in School Transport Section at school_transport@education.gov.ie with their child's details and officials will be happy to assist.
203. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Education if it is expected that a Citizens’ Assembly on the Future of Education will be established during the lifetime of the Government; and, if so, when it is expected that its terms of reference will be published. [43766/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Programme for Government commits to establishing a Citizens’ Assembly on the Future of Education ensuring that the voices of young people and those being educated are central.
The Citizens’ Assembly on Drugs Use is currently underway and is scheduled to complete its work by the end of 2023.
The establishment of the Citizens’ Assembly on the Future of Education and its Terms of Reference will be the subject of a Government decision and resolutions of the Dáil and Seanad at the appropriate time. Citizens’ Assemblies operate independently of the Government with secretariat support provided by the Department of the Taoiseach.
My officials have engaged in ongoing contact with the Department of the Taoiseach and ongoing discussion with key stakeholders across school communities on the Programme for Government commitment and will continue to do so. My Department recently contributed to the Citizens’ Assembly on Drugs, outlining the work at curriculum development level and at school level to ensure age and stage appropriate information on substance misuse is available to that our children and young people, and to provide information on the supports available to school communities through a range of work by my Department and its agencies and across government.
The commitment in the Programme for Government also states that the voices of young people and those being educated are central to this Assembly. The impact that children and young people have on shaping their own learning experiences is a focus of the work of my Department. Through this process we will work with children and young people to support the inclusion of their voices in the Assembly’s deliberations, as well as through any consultation process that I may establish. We will also continue to listen carefully to the views of parents, teachers, school leaders and all those in school communities who help shape our education system.
204. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Education if she will address a matter (details supplied) regarding bus tickets for children. [43782/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe School Transport Scheme is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department of Education. In the 2022/2023 school year, over 149,000 children, including over 18,000 children with special educational needs, were transported on a daily basis to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country.
In addition, school transport scheme services were provided for over 5,400 children who have arrived to Ireland from Ukraine.
The total cost of the scheme in 2022 was €338.9m.
Already over 133,000 tickets have issued for the 2023/2024 school year which is an increase of 12% when compared with the start of the 2022/2023 school year. The number of tickets issued so far has already exceeded the total number of tickets issued in the 2022/23 school year.
Children are eligible for transport at primary level where they reside not less than 3.2 kilometres from and are attending their nearest national school, and at post primary level where they reside not less than 4.8 kilometres from and are attending their nearest post primary school/education centre as determined by the department/Bus Éireann, having regard to ethos and language.
Children who are eligible for school transport and who have completed the application process on time will be accommodated on school transport services where such services are in operation.
Children who are not eligible for school transport, but who completed the application process on time, will be considered for spare seats that may exist after eligible children have been facilitated; such seats are referred to as concessionary seats.
Because of the nature of concessionary transport for non-eligible children and the priority of providing places for eligible children, there may be an excess of demand over supply for concessionary places, in these cases Bus Éireann will allocate tickets for spare seats using an agreed selection process.
Under the terms of the scheme, the availability of concessionary transport varies from year to year based on the capacity on the buses running on all of the various routes and the number of eligible children accommodated on each route.
Bus Eireann have advised that one of the pupils referred to by the Deputy is attending a main stream class and is not eligible for school transport as he is attending his 4th nearest primary school. They further advise he was not successful in obtaining a concessionary ticket for the 2023/24 school year.
Bus Éireann further advised that the pupil's siblings referred are eligible for school transport under the terms of the School Transport Scheme for Children with Special Educational Needs and are availing of a service under the terms of that scheme for the 2023/24 school year.
205. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Education when a resolution will be reached (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43982/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department concluded its investigation into the disclosure made a number of years ago, and corresponded with the discloser at that time to inform them of the outcome.
Under Section 24 of the Education Act, 1998 (as amended by the Education (Amendment) Act, 2012) the board of management is the employer of teachers and other staff of the school. Matters of an employment must be addressed to the Board of the school in the first instance.
206. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Education the position regarding school bus routes (details supplied) in County Wicklow; if there is a timeline for the provision of these services; if an explanation for the delays in these routes commencing can be provided; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43825/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe School Transport Scheme is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department of Education. In the current school year, over 149,000 children, including over 18,000 children with special educational needs, are transported on a daily basis to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country.
In addition, school transport scheme services are being provided in the current school year for over 5,400 children who have arrived to Ireland from Ukraine.
The total cost of the scheme in 2022 was €338.9m.
Already over 133,000 tickets have issued for the 2023/2024 school year which is an increase of 12% when compared with the start of the 2022/2023 school year. The number of tickets issued has already exceeded the total number of tickets issued in the 2022/23 school year.
Bus Éireann has reported in recent weeks that unfortunately, for a small number of families, assigned to mainstream and Special Educational Needs transport services that had already been secured, a number of difficulties arose in some localities with a small number of contracted services.
As of the 9th October, four mainstream and two Special Educational Needs transport services remain to be sourced in Wicklow. Three of these services are at the final stages of procurement which includes Garda vetting and vehicle/document checks and/or the school employing a school transport escort. Bus Éireann have reported that once these checks have been finalised a date of commencement of services will issue to families. Bus Éireann is working intensively to ensure that transport arrangements are put in place as soon as possible.
Bus Éireann has advised that wo of the routes mentioned by the Deputy are currently operating at present. Bus Éireann has further advised that once suitable contractors are sourced for any remaining services, they will contact the families directly.
Both the Department and Bus Éireann are very conscious of the challenges faced by parents awaiting transport for mainstream and students with special educational needs. Families of children who are eligible for these services may therefore avail of the Exceptional No Service Interim Grant for mainstream services and the Special Transport Grant for Special Educational Needs services. These are once off payments, paid retrospectively to families once the School Transport service is in place and is to assist with the cost of private transport arrangements the family had put in place until services are finalised.
This exceptional payment will be based on the number of days a child attends school, calculated from the date the service was due to begin. As the payment is based on the number of days a child attends school up until the time a service has commenced it cannot be paid in advance and will be made available to families retrospectively. Families do not need to make an application for the exceptional payment, those who have been issued a ticket, and do not have a service in place, have been contacted directly by the Department of Education with full details of this exceptional payment.
Bus Éireann will continue to keep families updated in relation to transport services.
207. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Education to provide an update on a school building project (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43884/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe large scale capital project at the school referred to by the Deputy, is at Architectural Planning Stage 3 - Tender Action and Award. The tender report is with my Department for review. On completion of this process, subject to no issues arising, my Department will be in contact with the School Authority and the Design Team.
208. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Education to provide an update on a school building project (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43890/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe school building project for the school referred to by the Deputy is being delivered under my Department's Design and Build Programme and will deliver a new 16 classroom primary school and accommodation, including four classrooms, for children with special educational needs.
My Department's Project Manager is currently finalising the planning application for the project, which is expected to be submitted in Quarter 4, 2023.
It is not possible to provide a time-frame for the progression of the project to tender and construction stages until such time as the necessary statutory approvals have been secured.
My Department will continue to keep the school and its patron body updated as the project progresses.
209. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Education to provide an update on a school building project (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43891/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe major building project for the school referred to by the Deputy is at an advanced stage of architectural planning Stage 2(b) - (Detailed Design), which includes the application for statutory approvals and the preparation of tender documents.
The Fire Safety and the Disability Access Certificate have been granted. The Design Team have submitted their response to a Further Information request in relation to the planning permission application, and are currently awaiting the Local Authority's decision, which is due imminently.
Once received, they will work on the completion of the Stage 2(b) report, which will then be submitted to my Department for review. The Design Team have also commenced the pre-qualification of contractors’ process.
Upon receipt and review of the Stage 2(b) Submission, and when pre-qualification is complete, the Department will be in contact with the school authorities and their design team regarding progression of the project to tender stage.
210. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Education to provide an update on a school building project (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43892/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe major building project for the school referred to by the Deputy will deliver a new 1,000 pupil post-primary school and accommodation, including two classrooms, for children with special educational needs. The project is being delivered under my Department's Design and Build programme in two phases.
The school commenced operation in the completed Phase 1 of the new school building in September 2022, which accommodates some 500 pupils and includes temporary accommodation for children with special educational needs.
The project for Phase 2 of the new school is currently at tender stage. Once a Contractor has been appointed, it is anticipated that construction will commence shortly thereafter.
My Department will continue to keep the school and its patron body updated as the project progresses.
211. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education the progress to date in the determination of the provision of an ASD unit at a school (details supplied), given plans were submitted in February 2023 for same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43902/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe school to which the Deputy refers, was granted funding under my Department's Additional School Accommodation (ASA) Scheme for the provision of a 2 classroom SEN base with delivery of the project devolved to the school authority.
A stage 1 report was submitted and reviewed by Department officials. Subsequently, the school were requested to submit a revised stage report. This revised report was received and is currently under review by the Department's Professional & Technical team.
Once the review is complete, the outcome will be issued to the school authority.
