Dessie Ellis (Dublin North West, Sinn Fein)
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Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire as a bheith anseo. Scoil Chiaráin was founded in 1970 and educates boys and girls of primary and post-primary age with mild to moderate special needs. Scoil Chiaráin helps them to develop socially and educationally within a stimulating, friendly environment. Every child, particularly those with special needs, should be given whatever supports are necessary to remain in education. Scoil Chiaráin provides a caring and friendly atmosphere that helps children to develop to the best of their ability their social and learning skills. Many of the children struggled in mainstream education. Many experienced bullying because of their disabilities or were overwhelmed by the regular education system. Some self-harmed or developed eating disorders because they were unable to cope in mainstream education. These children have complex needs and many have been out of school for up to three years. Scoil Chiaráin changed all of that for them. It provided smaller classes with a special school curriculum. They have thrived in this caring and welcoming school environment. Scoil Chiaráin teaches children, through adaptive programmes, the life skills and coping mechanisms they need as they grow into young adults and become confident members of their community.

However, this valued school has for more than ten years had to exist with structural problems that no school should have to endure. As long ago as 2012, the process to initiate the redevelopment of the school began. The school was surveyed, only to discover a shocking list of defects identified at that time. The report found that the foundations were unstable and that there were major problems with the sewage system. Along with other structural issues, the school building was deemed not fit for purpose.

Many of the issues identified over the intervening years have not yet been fully remediated. In 2020, the Department of Education agreed to a new build. When some concerns were raised about the initial design, it was revised and subsequently fire safety consultants and landscape artists were appointed. In June 2021, the plans for the new build were approved, thereby completing the design stage. In August 2021 the planning application was submitted and planning permission was granted that December. Both the disability access certificate and the first safety certificate were granted in early 2022. With everything effectively in place, the parents are at a loss to know when construction is to begin on site. At present, there is no library or quiet reading space for the children. There are no rooms for therapists to come in to see children or even to do assessments. The school only has one disabled toilet, which has to serve all the children with physical disabilities. There are not enough classrooms and contrary to the methodology of the school, classrooms are in danger of becoming overcrowded. Therefore the school cannot accept many children who have applied because of the lack of classroom capacity.

This is not a comprehensive list of the current problems. There are too many to outline in the short time I have to speak here. The parents and teachers want to know, and more importantly, the pupils want to know, when is this new build going to begin. There seems to be an inordinate delay in the tendering process. What stage are we at with regard to the tendering process? Will the Minister of State outline for the parents of these children, details of the status of the start of the redevelopment of Scoil Chiaráin? Will he commit to a date for the commencement of construction?

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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Gabhaim buíochas leis an Teachta as ceist Scoil Chiaráin a ardú inniu. As the Deputy said, a major building project to provide new accommodation for the students of Scoil Chiaráin is included in the Department of Education’s construction programme being delivered under the National Development Plan, NDP, as part of Project Ireland 2040. The major building project for Scoil Chiaráin is being delivered under the Department of Education's accelerated delivery of architectural planning and tendering, ADAPT, programme. The ADAPT programme uses a professional external project manager to co-ordinate and drive the design team to achieve the best possible timeframe for the project through the stages of architectural planning, to tender and construction. While the original project brief was to deliver a new extension and refurbishment of the current school building, it was agreed, following a review by the design team to revise the project scope to deliver a new replacement school at the current site, in Glasnevin. The design team secured planning permission for the new school design stage in September 2021, which is the start of stage 2(b).

The current building dates from the late 1970s. The new building will provide purpose-built accommodation for students with special educational needs ranging in age from four to 18 years. It will comprise 20 mainstream classrooms, along with additional specialised rooms including art, home economics, woodwork, a library, GP room, a dining space, a sensory room, dedicated therapy rooms and all associated ancillary accommodation. The accommodation will take into consideration the specific needs of the students of Scoil Chiaráin.

The project is currently close to completion of stage 2(b) of the architectural design process. It involves detailed design and the preparation of tender documentation. The next stage, subject to relevant stage 2(b) approvals, will be tender stage, which is stage 3.

Projects are subject to relevant due diligence by the Department at each stage in the process, within the context of the overall programme and budgetary parameters. In late March, following a review of the national development plan, the Government and the Minister, Deputy Foley, approved medium-term capital allocations for the Department of Education for the period to 2026. The Department’s planning and building unit is now reviewing its programme plans in the context of those recently confirmed allocations. Special schools are a particular priority for the Department’s school building programme and I know, and the Minister knows, that the new building for Scoil Chiaráin will be transformative for the school community. Departmental officials will keep the school authorities updated on progress and on the next steps.

Dessie Ellis (Dublin North West, Sinn Fein)
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Scoil Chiaráin, as I said, is a unique, special school covering the north side of Dublin. It has been more than ten years since the school was surveyed and deemed not fit for purpose. The planning permission was granted in 2021. What the Deputy outlined is going to take us to 2026 and beyond, from what I understand. That is unacceptable. The Minister, Deputy Foley, and the Government, signed up to the UNCRPD for people with disabilities. These children are being treated abysmally. The pupils and the families are not being treated in a proper fashion. It is not good enough. The people want to meet the Minister and representatives of the Department. They want to outline the problems they face. I have listened to the parents about all the work that has been done and the effect it is having on the children and how they are progressing at this school. It is outstanding. This needs to be looked at. We cannot expect that in 2026 or however many more years are added on. That is not good enough.

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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I did not mention 2026 in my remarks.

Dessie Ellis (Dublin North West, Sinn Fein)
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The Minister of State did say that stage 3-----

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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There have been considerable changes to the design and plan of the school. The Department is aware of the current condition of the buildings at Scoil Chiaráin. It is committed to progressing the major school building project and to assist the school to maintain its existing accommodation pending the delivery. As I said, the Department is currently reviewing all its building projects in light of the new, revised allocations. I will once again make the Minister aware of the Deputy's remarks.