Damien English (Meath West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Senator Murnane O'Connor made a very strong case. I understand the situation.

I apologise that the Minister for Education and Skills, Deputy Richard Bruton, was not present to hear the strong case the Senator made. He is familiar with the Saplings school in Carlow, the great work that is done there. I understand there are 19 students, four teachers and 12 other staff. The Minister is familiar with the work that is being done there and understands the situation.

The Senator asked us to outline the position from our point of view and that of the Department. Saplings school is a co-educational school operating under the patronage of Saplings Limited Carlow and caters for children with autism and complex needs. The Saplings facility was founded in 2007 by Saplings Limited, which had responsibility for sourcing and operating the accommodation that the school currently occupies and has rented a property from a local landlord. As the Senator said, the parents established the school in 2007.

Saplings was granted temporary recognition as a primary school by the Department of Education and Skills in 2011. In this regard, the board of management has responsibility for the school's accommodation. This includes responsibility for ensuring that the accommodation complies at all times with planning, fire, health and safety, and building regulations. The school's management must also satisfy itself that the necessary insurances are in place.

In September 2016, the school was granted permanent recognition by the Department. As part of this recognition, the board of management was advised that the provision of interim accommodation remained the responsibility of the patron.

The Department is aware that there are issues with the sewerage system at the school and that the board of management has made arrangements to have these matters addressed. The Department provides funding for the school towards the cost of renting the current building. The Department also provides a grant to the school to facilitate reconfiguration works within the building to provide an extra classroom and additional sanitary facilities to meet increased enrolment. The Department is aware that the board is actively looking for alternative accommodation and will continue to engage directly with the school in the context of its accommodation needs.