Niall Collins (Limerick, Fianna Fail)
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165. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will sanction funding approval in respect of a school (details supplied) in County Cork to enable construction to commence without further delay. [21155/13]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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I wish to advise the Deputy that my Department approved funding to the school to which he refers for the provision of two classrooms for pupils with special needs.

Subsequent engagement by my Department with the school resulted however in the project being withdrawn by my Department due to building design issues, the extent to which the school's plans exceeded the scope of the original grant allocation and the significant additional funding sought by the school to deliver a project based on the school's plans. The school has since requested that the Department would re-consider its decision. However my Department's views have been conveyed to the school that for the reasons outlined above it is not possible to accede to the school's request.

My Department is continuing to work with the National Council for Special Education in respect of how best to meet the accommodation needs for pupils with special needs in the area.