Steven Matthews (Wicklow, Green Party)
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469. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if her attention has been drawn to concerns regarding the lack of accommodation for practical subjects and other facilities in a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4723/23]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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The school referred to by the Deputy is currently in interim accommodation at the location referred to since September 2021.

This building was refurbished to provide accommodation comprising at present 11 classrooms, Home Economics room, Art room, Science Lab and Prep Area, Technology Room, Construction Studies room and Prep Area, Admin, PE hall and SEN accommodation.

To meet additional enrolment needs for September 2023, my Department are making provision to further refurbish other vacant rooms in the building to provide an additional Science Lab and a further 3 classrooms as requested by the school.

My Department are in ongoing contact with the school’s patron body in relation to the school’s accommodation requirements and will continue to update them as the project progresses.

In relation to the permanent school the site identification and assessment exercise is ongoing.

My Department is working towards acquiring the most suitable site for this school while ensuring value for money for the exchequer is achieved.

The Deputy will appreciate that negotiations in respect of site acquisitions are, by their nature, sensitive and for that reason I am not in a position to provide further information at this time.