Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputies. I appreciate their points and the acknowledgement there is an absolute commitment on the part of the Department to the advancement of the school Deputy Farrell mentioned.

On the point raised by Deputy Crowe, I can confirm the school to which he referred has been approved for a project under the Department's additional accommodation scheme. The project will provide for one mainstream classroom and a two-classroom special educational needs base. I am also pleased to inform the Deputy that the Department approved this project to proceed to construction in May of 2021. The project is currently on site. The school has recently submitted a request for additional funding for the project to provide a sensory garden, hard play and soft play areas and six car parking spaces. I am pleased to inform the Deputy of our agreement in principle to provide the additional funding in question, subject to agreement being reached on the costs associated with the proposal. My officials have written to the school to seek further information and clarification on the cost of these additions, including whether cost-saving measures can be achieved.

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