Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

An application for provision of additional capacity at the school in question was given initial approval in 2019 for delivery on a devolved basis under the Department's additional school accommodation, ASA scheme. This approval included provision for mainstream, specialist rooms and two special educational needs classes.

The main focus of the Department’s additional accommodation scheme is on provision of additional capacity to meet the requirement for school places, including for students with special educational needs. The accommodation needs of the school in question were assessed in that context and a requirement for additional classroom accommodation was identified. Having appraised the accommodation needs of the school based on the information that was available at the time, the project brief was agreed by the school authorities, with an agreed long-term expected enrolment of 650 pupils. Official approval issued to the school to proceed with this project and it is currently at stage 1 of the architectural planning process.

However, the school has since submitted a further application for the ASA scheme and requested a full review of its entire accommodation. The needs of the school and the wider school planning area are currently being reviewed by my officials, to consider the scope of necessary provision in the school under reference. A key overarching priority is to ensure that existing school capacity is fully utilised across a local area before any additional capacity is considered.

Officials have been in touch with the school authorities directly to seek information relating to a number of issues, in order to allow for a full review of the application as requested by the school. When this information is received, the assessment process will be concluded and a decision will be conveyed to the school authorities directly. In the interim, it is also open to the school in question to apply for the Department's emergency works scheme, which will consider applications for funding to address any immediate health and safety issues arising.

The main focus of the Department’s resources over the last decade and for the coming period is on the provision of critical additional capacity to cater for increasing demographics. The Department is required to manage the overall school building programme in order that we target and prioritise areas that are under greatest pressure for additional school places. The overall position with regard to potential modernisation and replacement of existing infrastructure will be kept under review as capital funding allocations for future years are clarified.

See this speech in context