Written answers

Tuesday, 31 January 2023

Department of Education and Skills

School Accommodation

Photo of Patrick CostelloPatrick Costello (Dublin South Central, Green Party)
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462. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the expected timeline for completion of the current renovation works at a school (details supplied). [4684/23]

Photo of Norma FoleyNorma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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The project referred to by the Deputy is at Architectural Planning Stage 3 - Tender Action and Award.  A tender process can take between 8-12 months to complete, subject to no issues arising.

My Department has a large pipeline of projects for delivery under the school building programme, including the project referred to by the Deputy.  The main elements of this pipeline currently involve in excess of 1,300  school building projects for delivery under my Department's Large Scale and Additional Accommodation Scheme.  These projects are currently in progress across the various stages of planning, design, tender and construction, most of which are expected to be either under construction or completed in the period up to 2025.

During January, my Department will be assessing overall requirements for 2023 and associated work  programme and will update individual schools of same in due course. 

Photo of Patrick CostelloPatrick Costello (Dublin South Central, Green Party)
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463. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if a school (details supplied) will open a second additional class for primary school entrants for 2023-2024 academic year given the physical additional capacity being used by another institution, recognising the lack of alternative local multi and non-denominational educational options in the area. [4685/23]

Photo of Norma FoleyNorma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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I can confirm to the Deputy, that my Department approved a change of status request for the school in question, to go to a 2 stream school from a 1 stream school. This approval is to take effect from when the school in question has full possession of the Greenhills building. The school in question are currently sharing accommodation with a special school, which is awaiting new accommodation to be delivered under my Department's Capital Programme. 

In the interim, the school in question have been approved for additional temporary accommodation for their current cohort of teachers and pupils. For the 2022/23 school year they were provided 1 Mainstream classroom and 2 SET rooms and they have also been approved for a further Mainstream classroom. My officials have been in contact with the school authorities in relation to their accommodation needs and remain available to them. 

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