Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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I am pleased to advise the Deputy that approval under the Additional School Accommodation scheme issued to the school in question for the provision of a 1 x 100m2 SEN classroom.

Although this project is devolved for delivery to the school authority, the Department arranged a project manager under its procurement framework to assist the school authority in the delivery of its building project. This 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 this modern method of construction 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.

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. The Department has been assured by the relevant project manager for the school in question that regular communication with the school authority is ongoing. The current status of the project confirms that foundations are complete on site with the modular unit expected to be delivered to site during week commencing 6th November, November 2023.

The School Authority has devolved responsibility for delivery of this project.