Pádraig O'Sullivan (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

490. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the status of an application by a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27178/20]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I can confirm that the school in question submitted an application for capital funding under my Department's multi-annual Summer Works Scheme (SWS) 2020 onwards for Windows (Category 7).

In late 2019, I announced details of the schools that will receive funding in Summer 2020 in respect of applications submitted for "Life Safety Systems projects" (Category 1).

Commensurate with the level of funding set aside for the Scheme, applications are being assessed on a top down basis in accordance with the prioritisation criteria outlined in the Circular accompanying the Scheme. In this regard, applications submitted for other works/categories will be considered under future rounds of the Summer Works Scheme.

Pádraig O'Sullivan (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

491. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the status of an application by a school (details supplied); when a decision is likely to be made on same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27179/20]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I can confirm that my Department received an application for capital funding, under the Additional School Accommodation scheme, from the school authority referred to by the Deputy.

On completion of the assessment process, the school authority will be contacted directly with a decision.

Pádraig O'Sullivan (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

492. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the status of an application by a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27180/20]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The school in question has requested a review of the refusal of emergency works funding for roof repairs. This review resulted in approval in principle being granted subject to certain conditions. A final approval letter will issue to the school once these conditions have been met.

Pádraig O'Sullivan (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

493. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the status of an application by a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27181/20]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I can confirm that my Department received an application for capital funding, under the Additional School Accommodation scheme, from the school authority referred to by the Deputy.

On completion of the assessment process, the school authority will be contacted directly with a decision.

Pádraig O'Sullivan (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

494. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the status of an application by a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27182/20]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I can confirm that my Department received an application for capital funding, under the Additional School Accommodation scheme, from the school authority referred to by the Deputy.

On completion of the assessment process, the school authority will be contacted directly with a decision.

Pádraig O'Sullivan (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

495. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the status of an application by a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27183/20]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The major building project for the school to which the Deputy refers is included in the Department’s Construction Programme which is being delivered under the National Development Plan.

The project is currently at an advanced stage of architectural planning, Stage 2(b) - Detailed Design, which includes the application for statutory approvals and the preparation of tender documents. All statutory approvals have been secured.

The Stage 2(b) submission for this project was received by the Department in July 2020. 

Upon completion of the review of the Stage 2(b) submission, the Department will be in contact with the school regarding the further progression of this project, including the pre-qualification (shortlisting) of Contractors.

Pádraig O'Sullivan (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

496. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the status of an application by a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27184/20]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The school to which the Deputy refers was granted funding under the Additional Accommodation Scheme 2020 to provide two mainstream classroom with en-suite toilets and one classroom SEN base.

This project has been devolved for delivery to the school authority and is currently at the Design stage. It is now a matter for the Board of Management to advance this project in that context.

Pádraig O'Sullivan (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

497. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills when an application by a person (details supplied) for special school transport will be reviewed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27185/20]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

School Transport is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department.

In the 2019/2020 school year over 120,000 children, including over 14,200 children with special educational needs, were transported in over 5,000 vehicles on a daily basis to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country covering over 100 million kilometres at a cost of over €219m in 2019.

The purpose of the Department's School Transport Scheme for Children with Special Educational Needs is, having regard to available resources, to support the transport to and from school of children with special educational needs arising from a diagnosed disability.

In general, children with special educational needs are eligible for school transport if they are attending the nearest school that is resourced to meet their special educational needs. Eligibility is determined following consultation with the National Council for Special Education through its network of Special Education Needs Organisers (SENO). 

The child referred to by the Deputy is eligible for school transport under the terms of the above scheme and I am pleased to advise that following the offer of the Special Transport Grant to the pupil's parent, School Transport have sanctioned a new wheelchair accessible service to cater for this pupil's transport to school on 28th September 2020. A bus escort for this service has also been sanctioned with the Principal of the school on 28th September 2020.

The pupil's parent has been notified on these sanctions and will be contacted by the local Bus Éireann office with details of the service in due course.