Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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I can confirm to the Deputy, that my Department is in receipt of an application, under the Additional School Accommodation (ASA) scheme, from the school in question. The purpose of the ASA scheme is to ensure that essential mainstream and special education classroom accommodation is available to cater for pupils enrolled each year and where the need cannot be met by the school’s existing accommodation.

I am pleased to confirm that the application from Corpus Christi Girls National School has been assessed and has been approved to progress to the next stage. The project involves reconfiguration of the existing school and parish hall, referred to by the Deputy, to establish two special education classes, along with two mainstream classrooms, a special education tuition room and a universal access toilet. Additionally, a request from the school's patron for a change of status to co-educational with effect from the 2024/25 school year has been approved by my Department.

The consideration of the accommodation requirements for the school in question forms part of the Planning and Building Unit’s overall assessment of its work programme and priorities in the context of available capital funding. The project has been progressed to the next stage of assessment through the Project Manager Framework, 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. My Department does not have a definitive timeline for delivery of the project however my officials, through the engagement of the School and the Project Manager will endeavour to deliver this project as quickly as possible.

I can assure the Deputy that the provision of required school places, including for children with special educational needs, is a priority for my Department. My officials are working to ensure that there is sufficient provision to meet the school place needs in the school in question and the wider School Planning Area for future years.