Colm Burke (Cork North Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

As already outlined, there are 19 primary schools in the Fermoy planning area. I again thank the Deputy for raising this matter. The Department has ongoing communication with the school's patron regarding the accommodation needs of the school.

The Department of Education continues to liaise with the school and NCSE regarding the provision of accommodation for pupils with special educational needs.

As the Deputy will appreciate, the provision of school places, including for children with special educational needs, is a priority for the Department of Education and the NCSE. The Department will continue to work to ensure that there are sufficient special classes available to meet the needs of pupils in the Fermoy planning area and across County Cork. The main focus of the Department of Education's resources over the past decade and for the coming period is the provision of critical additional capacity to cater for increasing demographics. The Department is required to manage the overall school building programme so that we target and prioritise areas under the greatest pressure for additional school places. This reflects a fundamental objective of ensuring the availability of school places for every child.

The Department of Education has invested over €544.7 million in projects under construction in the Cork area alone. More than 104 projects have been completed in Cork between 2020 and 2023. There are currently 25 projects under construction. The Department is proactive and is delivering. The figures are there, and the investment is happening. This is about careful management for the school. The project involves four classrooms. The Department has taken on board what has been said by the school and is liaising with it.

See this speech in context