Pearse Doherty (Donegal, Sinn Fein)
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220. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if the school capital appraisal section has received a planning approval appeal submitted by a school (details supplied) in County Donegal for the construction of a dedicated autism and sensory room; if his attention has been drawn to the need for this project to be granted approval in view of the unsuitable nature of existing facilities at the school to accommodate pupils; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46627/18]

Joe McHugh (Donegal, Fine Gael)
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I wish to advise the Deputy that an application was received in my Department, from the school referred to, for the provision of additional accommodation to cater for an ASD class.

I can confirm that the application was assessed but not approved for funding on the basis of sufficient accommodation being available within the existing school. The school subsequently requested a review of this decision, which is currently ongoing. A decision will issue to the school in question on the matter as soon as possible.

Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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221. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the process for inclusion in a building scheme by a school (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46647/18]

Joe McHugh (Donegal, Fine Gael)
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I wish to advise the Deputy that my Department's current focus is to prioritise funding for essential classroom accommodation to meet demographic need.

The National Development Plan (NDP) provides for an €8.4 billion investment in school buildings over the period 2018 to 2027 to deliver on NDP and National Planning Framework objectives through addressing the twin priorities of catering for demographics and ensuring a strengthened focus on refurbishment of existing school stock. The announcement referred to the commitment to a PE Hall build and modernisation programme in post primary schools, starting in the second half of the Project Ireland 2040 period.

The immediate priority is to provide 20,000 new and replacement school places each year, to ensure that every child has a school place. My Department is not in a position, at this point, to consider the request from the school to which the Deputy refers for a General Purpose Room. The request will however be retained on file for consideration in the event of funding becoming available for this purpose in the future.

My Department has recently clarified the position directly to the school.