Pádraig O'Sullivan (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)
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321. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills for an update on funding for a security system for a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40077/23]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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I am pleased to advise that approval under the Additional School Accommodation scheme has issued to the school in question for the provision of reconfiguration works.

The project is being delivered under the Department’s Devolved SEN Reconfiguration and Modular Accommodation programme. The Department has a significant modular accommodation programme in place to assist schools in the provision of additional capacity, including in respect of facilitating the establishment of special classes. This programme involves the use of Project Management supports which is designed to enable the accommodation to be provided as quickly as possible and help ease the administrative workload for school authorities in relation to the management and delivery of projects. The use of the Department’s Modular Accommodation Framework also assists in ensuring lead in periods for procurement of modular accommodation are minimised to the greatest extent possible. To date, this has worked very well in the education sector and has seen delivery of large scale, high quality modular accommodation to meet the needs of children, particularly those with special educational needs.

I wish to advise that my Department is not aware of a current application for a funding request for additional Security and CCTV at the school in question. However, I have been advised that the Emergency Works Section within my Department has made contact with the school directly advising that the option for universal access works funding is open to the school should they wish to apply for same.