Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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543. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills for an update on the timings for the permanent extension at a school (details supplied) which was initially due to be finished for September 2024 and has not commenced; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15196/24]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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I can confirm to the Deputy that my Department has a modular project and a traditional construction project in the pipeline for the school in question.

Following consultation between my Department and Dublin and Dún Laoghaire Education Training Board (DDLETB), the patron of the school in question, it was agreed in early 2021 to increase the capacity of the school to 1,500 places. There was no time frame determined for this increase but it was expected that there would be a gradual increase in enrolments over a number of years.

In order to facilitate an initial increase in enrolments, modular accommodation of 4 x Mainstream Classrooms, 2 x Science laboratories and additional toilets was provided at the school in 2022. As a result of continued engagement between my Department and DDLETB it was agreed to provide further modular accommodation at the school for the 2024/25 school year. This accommodation includes reconfiguration within the school building to provide two special education classrooms and modular accommodation consisting of two science laboratories (for displacement) and one prep area, and four x mainstream classrooms. This accommodation is being provided under the Department’s Modular Accommodation Framework. Initial approval issued to the school for this accommodation in February. A subsequent phase two traditional construction project to deliver the remaining accommodation has been agreed by DDLETB and is currently with the department’s Technical team for project typing and costing.

In relation to the time frame for commencement of procurement for the phase two permanent extension, the department is not in a position to guarantee a definitive timeline. As the Deputy will appreciate the progress of the project depends on a multitude of factors such as any identified technical challenges, statutory consents, procurement etc., many of which are outside of the department's control.

My Department continues to work closely with DDLETB to advance both of these projects as quickly as possible.

School building projects at construction involve an overall State investment of over €1.2 billion. There is a large number of modular accommodation projects that are very well advanced for delivery or at construction stage. This is a record level of investment in our schools and highlights the Government’s very strong track record of delivery in providing additional capacity and modern facilities for our school communities.

I can assure the Deputy that my department is very cognisant of the urgency around the delivery of accommodation for the new school year and is working to advance matters as quickly as possible. 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.

Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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544. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills for an update on the permanent site for a school (details supplied) currently on the grounds of another school; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15197/24]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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As the Deputy is aware, the site identification and assessment exercise for the new Ériu Community College is ongoing. Potential site options have been identified, including a Minister-owned property.

The Deputy will appreciate that negotiations in respect of site acquisitions are, by their nature, sensitive and for that reason I am not in a position to provide further information at this time.

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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I can confirm to the Deputy that my department received an application under the Additional Schools' Accommodation (ASA) Scheme in 2021 from the school in question for funding for three special education needs classrooms.

The purpose of my department’s Additional Schools' 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 or at other schools in the area.

At primary level, this situation generally arises to cater for a school’s accommodation requirements where an additional teaching post has been sanctioned by Teacher Allocation Section, or the requirement for a new class for pupils with special education needs has been identified by the National Council for Special Education (NCSE), and all available alternative accommodation within the school is already being used for classroom purposes. The capacity at other schools in the area is also considered as part of the assessment of any accommodation needs.

The National Council for Special Education (NCSE) has a statutory function to plan and co-ordinate the provision of education and support services to children with special educational needs, in consultation with the relevant education partners and the Health Service Executive (HSE). This includes the establishment of special class and special school placements in various geographical areas where there is an identified need.

The main focus of my department’s resources over the last decade and for the coming period is on provision of critical additional capacity to cater for increasing demographics. The department is required to manage the overall school building programme so that we target and prioritise areas that are under greatest pressure for additional school places. This reflects our fundamental objective of ensuring the availability of a school place for every child.

As you may be aware the department’s Technical team carried out an in-depth review of the school site in 2021. The review confirmed that the school and the site are at maximum capacity and that it would not be possible to provide the required accommodation on site unless vast amounts of existing single storey accommodation was to be demolished and replaced with two storey accommodation.

At that time, considering all the relevant impediments to deliver the brief of accommodation and the site constraints, the Department was not in a position to provide funding for the significant demolition of the school building. In light of this, officials in my department contacted the NCSE to advise them of same and to establish the special classes in other schools in the area.

I can assure the Deputy, in light of receipt of the engineer's condition report from the school in question, my department's Technical Team will review the contents thereof and officials from my department will consult with the school authority on completion of the review.

Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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546. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills to provide an update on the joint major building project for schools (details supplied) in Drogheda; what stage it is currently at; when they can expect progression to the next stage of the planning process; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15291/24]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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The joint Major Building Project referred to by the Deputy for St Ita's & St Mary's Special Schools, Drogheda, is currently at an advanced stage of architectural planning -Stage 2(b) – Detailed Design, where the design team secure all Statutory Applications and prepare the suite of tender documents.The Design Team have recently secured all Statutory Approvals, including Planning Permission, following a request for further information from the Local Authority,

The design team are completing work on the Stage 2(b) submission, to be forwarded to my Department for review.

Upon receipt, review and approval of the Stage 2(b) submission, the Department will inform the School Authorities and their Design Team of the progression of the major project to the next stage of Architectural Planning – Tender Award.

In accordance with the Infrastructure Guidelines published by the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform, approval at any stage in the project life cycle constitutes approval to move to the next stage rather than overall project approval.