Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 30 November 2023
361. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Education if the provision of additional school accommodation for a school (details supplied) is expected to be completed in time for the current school year or for the year commencing September 2025; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53117/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraI can confirm to the Deputy that my Department is in receipt of an application, under the Additional School Accommodation scheme, from Corpus Christi Girls National School. The purpose of the Additional School Accommodation scheme is to ensure that essential mainstream and special education classroom accommodation is available to cater for pupils enrolled each year and where the need cannot be met by the school’s existing accommodation.
I am pleased to confirm that the application from Corpus Christi Girls National School has been assessed and has been approved to progress to the next stage. The project involves reconfiguration of the existing school and parish hall to establish two special education classes, along with two mainstream classrooms, a special education tuition room and a universal access toilet. Additionally, a request from the school's patron for a change of status to co-educational with effect from the 2024/25 school year has been approved by my Department.
The consideration of the accommodation requirements for the school in question forms part of the Planning and Building Unit’s overall assessment of its work programme and priorities in the context of available capital funding. It is the intention of my Department to progress this approved project through the Project Manager Framework, which is designed to enable the accommodation to be provided as quickly as possible and help ease the administrative workload for school authorities in relation to the management and delivery of projects. My Department does not have a definitive timeline for delivery of the project however my officials, through the engagement of the School and the Project Manager will endeavor to deliver this project as quickly as possible.
I can assure the Deputy that the provision of required school places, including for children with special educational needs, is a priority for my Department. My officials are working to ensure that there is sufficient provision to meet the school place needs in the school in question and the wider School Planning Area for future years.
