Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 7 November 2023
491. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Education if her Department's offer of a two-storey modular unit for a school (details supplied) will impact the school's application to build on adjacent land recently purchased for her Department by Waterford City and County Council; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47858/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraI can confirm to the Deputy, that my Department is in receipt of an application from the school in question under the Additional School Accommodation (ASA) scheme.
Following an assessment of their ASA application, an offer for modular accommodation was made to the school in question. The Deputy will be aware that my Department has broadened its delivery streams and is utilising Modern Methods of Construction, including Modular Accommodation, as well as traditional construction delivery methods. Modular accommodation has particular advantages in terms of overall timelines and also climate impact in that they generally use decarbonised heating sources.
In overall terms, it is important to have a range of delivery mechanisms for delivering school accommodation to support the current very strong and ambitious roll out of school building projects. This is particular relevant given the overall challenging construction sector market. A number of factors are considered by my Department in determining the most appropriate construction method to meet a school’s accommodation requirements, including the timing and duration of that accommodation need, and other school-specific factors.
The modular accommodation proposed to the school is intended to meet the school's overall additional accommodation needs. It is not feasible to deliver the accommodation a second time using a different construction method. Officials in my Department are liaising with the school regarding the delivery mechanism for the additional accommodation for the school.
Furthermore, my Department continues to work in conjunction with Waterford City and County Council to facilitate the acquisition of the site adjacent to the school.
