Michael Creed
Ceist:317. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Education the current situation regarding a request for approval for a modular classroom at a school (details supplied). [17951/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraTuesday, 23 April 2024
Ceisteanna (317)
Freagraí scríofa
I can confirm to the Deputy, that the school in question submitted an application for capital funding, under my Department's Additional Schools' Accommodation (ASA) Scheme, for modular accommodation for mainstream purposes.
The purpose of the Additional Schools' 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 or at other schools in the area.
In general, demographics have been falling at primary level and are due to continue to decrease.
Therefore the Department considers it prudent to maximise the use of existing spare accommodation capacity at primary level in the first instance, before considering any applications for further accommodation needs. This is in line with public spending requirements.
Following an initial assessment, in July of last year a potential need for additional accommodation was identified and communicated to the school. This was not a formal approval letter. As part of its overall programme planning for 2024 school accommodation needs, the Department is now examining enrolment data from the current school year and data on accommodation capacity at schools nearby. This is in order to reassess and identify critical accommodation requirements for the next school year, with a view to advancing these to formal approval stage. It is very important that capacity in existing schools and across a town or area is maximised to the greatest extent possible. This includes ensuring that all school accommodation is being utilised as efficiently as possible, and that priority is given to the use of accommodation for classroom purposes, either to meet mainstream or special educational needs. This analysis is forming part of the Department’s current assessment process.
Our main focus is on the most critical needs for the next school year. In the context of making most effective use of our capital allocation, and mindful of climate action goals, we are working to make sure that all school accommodation capacity is being maximised. We are looking at how each individual school’s accommodation can be best utilised and at capacity across schools in each school planning area.
The ASA application for this school is being considered in this context. I can only seek to assure the Deputy that we will advance this matter as quickly as possible and that we are very conscious that where additional school places and accommodation are required, a significant lead-in time is necessary for a variety of reasons.