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 Schools' Accommodation (ASA) Scheme from the school in question.

The purpose of the Additional Schools' Accommodation 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 or at other schools in the area.

Following assessment of the school's accommodation needs a brief for modular accommodation of 1 x Special Education Classroom, 1 x Mainstream Classroom and 1 x Special Education Tuition room was agreed with the school.

In support of the expedited delivery of critical school accommodation my Department has put in place a Modular Accommodation Framework. In addition, my Department has put new project manager support in place to assist schools with the delivery of this critical modular accommodation. All of these supports help ensure that the administrative burden for schools on procuring and delivering modular accommodation solutions is significantly eased.

My Department is utilizing Modern Methods of Construction, including Modular Accommodation, as well as traditional construction delivery methods. Modular accommodation has particular advantages in terms of overall timelines and also climate impact in that they do not generally have a reliance on fossil fuels.

In overall terms, it is important to have a range of delivery mechanisms for delivering school accommodation to support the current very strong and ambitious roll-out of school building projects. This is particular relevant given the overall challenging construction sector market.

A number of factors are considered by my Department in determining the most appropriate construction method to meet a school’s accommodation requirements, including the timing and duration of that accommodation need, and other school-specific factors.

The Modular Accommodation Framework solution:

· Has significant benefits in terms of delivery timelines;

· Minimises the impact of the project on the operation of the school;

· Provides quality and sustainable accommodation that meets building regulation requirements and is Near Zero Energy Building (NZEB) compliant; and

· Climate proofing of the accommodation, given that the modular accommodation has the added benefit of utilising decarbonised heating sources which should also help with the school’s energy profile and costs.

The National Council for Special Education (NCSE) has the responsibility for planning and coordinating school supports for children with special educational needs.

The Department engages intensely with the NCSE in relation to the forward planning of new special classes and additional special school places. This forward planning work is well underway ahead of the 2024/25 school year. This work involves a detailed review of statistical data in relation to forecasting demand for special class places, an analysis of available school accommodation, consideration of improved data sharing arrangements and a particular focus on the provision of special classes at post-primary level. In planning and providing for additional school accommodation, the Department must also have regard to construction inflation pressures and competing demands on suppliers of modular accommodation and project management services.

In general, demographics have been falling at primary level and are due to continue to decrease. Therefore the Department considers it prudent to maximise the use of existing spare accommodation capacity at primary level in the first instance, before considering any applications for further accommodation needs. This is in line with public spending requirements. In relation to the provision of primary special classes, the shared preference of both the Department and the NCSE is to use and reconfigure existing school accommodation to provide special classes

The school in question was assigned a Project Manager to assist in delivering the agreed accommodation. The project manager in consultation with the school authority carried out a report on the viability of the project and this report issued to the school for agreement.

I can confirm to the Deputy that officials in my department have recently received approval of the viability report from the school's Board of Management.

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.