Alan Farrell (Dublin Fingal, Fine Gael)
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314. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if the SEN classrooms for a school (details supplied) are autistic specific or for children with a range of additional needs; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30959/20]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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I can confirm to the Deputy that my Department has recently approved a 4-class Special Educational Needs (SEN) Base as part of a major capital project for the school in question.  The Special Educational Needs Base is used in the main, but not exclusively, as a dedicated space for children with Autism. The use of this space is agreed in consultation with the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) and the School Authority, on a case by case basis, to consider which pupils with special needs should use the dedicated space.

Alan Farrell (Dublin Fingal, Fine Gael)
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315. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the date for when works will begin for the ASD unit granted for a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30960/20]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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I am pleased to inform the Deputy that the project to which he refers has been devolved to the school for delivery under my Department's Additional Accommodation Scheme 2019. Funding has been provided to deliver a 4-classroom SEN base in that context. As it is a devolved project, it is a matter for the school authorities to progress it.  It is not possible at this stage to give a timeframe as to when works will begin on this project.