Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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92. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if her Department will engage positively with a school (details supplied) regarding the construction of a new gymnasium and sports hall; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [58391/22]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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I can confirm to the Deputy, that my Department's immediate priority is the provision of critically required school places, including for students with special educational needs.

Under Project Ireland 2040, the education sector will receive a total of approximately €4.4 billion capital investment over the period 2021-2025.

This investment will build on the good progress being made on adding capacity to cater for demographic changes and provision for children with special educational needs. This investment will also facilitate an increased focus on the modernisation of existing school stock and help transition the school system for an era of net zero carbon by 2050. As part of this modernisation agenda, and in line with a commitment in the Programme for Government, there will be a PE Hall build and modernisation programme to ensure that students in all post-primary schools have access to appropriate facilities to support PE provision.

I can confirm that the school in question submitted an application for my Department's Additional School Accommodation (ASA) scheme. Following assessment, my officials contacted the school authorities with an offer of substantial additional accommodation proposed under the scheme, consisting of general classrooms, specialist rooms, science laboratories and four classrooms for students with special educational needs. This offer was accepted by the school authorities and the application process is now in the final stages.