Paul Murphy (Dublin South West, RISE)
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119. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if her attention has been drawn to the serious school building repair, maintenance, security and facilities needs at a school (details supplied), which are outstanding for up to 12 years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [58215/22]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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I can confirm to the Deputy, that my Department has received an application, under the Additional School Accommodation (ASA) scheme, from the school authority in question.

The purpose of the ASA scheme is to ensure that essential mainstream classroom and Special Education Needs (SEN) accommodation is available to cater for pupils enrolled each year, where the need cannot be met by the school’s existing accommodation.

This application was assessed by my officials and a provisional offer was issued to the school authorities for the following accommodation:

- 2 Classrooms for students with special education needs

- User Assisted Toilet

- Front Entrance Door Replacement and 1 No Fire Door

- Front Entrance Lobby and Fire Escape Adjustment

This offer was accepted by the school authorities, but concerns were raised about other matters within the exiting school building.

The main focus of my Department’s resources over the last decade and for the coming period is on provision of critical additional capacity to cater for increasing demographics. However, my Department is working towards an increasing focus on the upgrade and refurbishment of the existing school stock, with particular focus on climate action goals.

In the interim, my Department will continue to engage with the school authorities with respect to its accommodation needs and having regard to the educational requirements of the area more broadly.