Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I am pleased to advise the school to which the Deputy refers was recently granted approval under the Additional School Accommodation scheme for the provision of four classrooms. This project is being delivered under the Department’s Devolved SEN Reconfiguration and Modular Accommodation programme.

This Reconfiguration and Modular Accommodation 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.

However, the wider context in relation to the overall modular market at present is challenging with modular accommodation suppliers being very busy across commercial, housing and other sectors. The Department is working closely with the Project Management teams and the modular accommodation suppliers to ensure additional capacity for the schools sector is delivered as quickly as possible.

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I am pleased to inform the Deputy that the building project for the school to which he refers is being devolved for delivery to Galway & Roscommon Education and Training Board (GRETB).

The Design Team for the project were appointed earlier this year and are currently preparing the Stage 1 report (preliminary design).

It is not possible to provide a timeline for completion of the project at this early stage.

Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

263. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she will ensure that an application for additional accommodation by a school (details supplied) will be progressed without delay; and if she will provide an update as to the current status of same. [41322/23]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I can confirm to the Deputy that my Department is in receipt of an application for capital funding, under the Additional School Accommodation (ASA) scheme, from the school to which he refers.

The purpose of my Department’s Additional School Accommodation (or ASA) scheme is to ensure that essential mainstream classroom accommodation and accommodation for pupils with special education needs is available to cater for pupils enrolled each year, where the need cannot be met by the school’s existing accommodation.

The application from the school in question is currently being assessed, including identified technical complexities that are being considered as part of our assessment of the school’s accommodation needs.

My Department will be in further contact with the school authorities shortly in this respect.