Josepha Madigan (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy for setting out what is, in his view, the chronological series of events in this case. Some of the timeline he gave is correct but I will give him a different view on a number of points. It is important to stress the Government takes the care and consideration of children with additional needs very seriously. The Deputy noted that finance is not the only issue to be considered. Funding is important, nevertheless, because it will help to build the schools we need for children with additional needs. This year, we have a budget of €2 billion and it is important it be used across the board and throughout the country.

I will deal with the Deputy's pertinent questions relating to Danu Community Special School. This is a good news story. I echo his sentiment in terms of the incredible work done by the parents in Dublin West, and the work of the Tánaiste, in setting up the school in 2019. It was originally established to cater for 40 students. The current enrolment is 23 and it will need additional capacity. As the Deputy knows, Danu school is currently situated in Hansfield Educate Together Secondary School. I am very pleased to say the latter has agreed to facilitate Danu to remain in situon its premises until such time as phase 1 of the new project is completed. We hope to commence phase 1 as soon as possible. The design team has been appointed, the architectural planning process has started and approval has been given in the past fortnight for a contractor. The space that Hansfield Educate Together Secondary School is providing at present is not sufficient for Danu school to expand. If it wants to reach its capacity of 40 students and, indeed, exceed it in the future, which we hope it will, then it needs to move to Riversdale Community College in the first phase and share its 1,150 sq. m premises.

At that stage, there will be a review. It is not correct to say that any permanent decisions have been made in regard to any accommodation. We need to look first and foremost at the best interests of the children with additional needs. That is a given. The Department will review the long-term needs of both Danu and Riversdale schools. I have visited Riversdale and seen the location and the land that surrounds it. I believe we will be in a position, from a long-term perspective, to facilitate both schools in a way that caters for their particular needs, especially the pupils of Danu Community Special School. Children with special needs must be looked after in a very particular way and we need to ensure they will have all the supports, space and staffing they require. In phase 1, there will be six general classrooms, a staffroom, a principal's office, a general office, a meeting room, a multisensory room and a general purpose area. This provision will be of value to the students in the short term.

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