Thomas Gould (Cork North Central, Sinn Fein)
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24. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills for an update on the review of the engineer’s report into a school (details supplied) in Ballincollig, Cork. [23836/24]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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I can confirm that my department received an application under the Additional Schools' Accommodation Scheme in 2021 from the school in question. The application was for the provision of three special education needs classrooms on foot of the sanction of three special classes by the NCSE in February 2021. Funding was approved in 2022 for replacing an existing prefab with an 80m² modular unit.

The department’s technical team carried out an in-depth review of the school site in 2021 on foot of the application received. The review confirmed that the site was at maximum capacity and that it would not be possible to provide the required accommodation on site unless a vast amount of existing single storey accommodation was demolished and replaced with two storey accommodation.

Given the site constraints, and as the Department was not in a position to provide funding for the significant demolition of the school building, department officials contacted the NCSE to advise them of same and to propose special classes be established in other schools in the area.

Over the last two years, the department and the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) have worked closely on a more streamlined and joined up planning process for the provision of special classes. Overall demographics are continuing to decrease at primary level and it is important to maximise the use of existing spare accommodation before considering any applications for additional accommodation. The shared preference of both the Department and the NCSE is, where possible, to reconfigure existing school accommodation to provide special classes.

Last January, the NCSE reconfirmed the sanction of three special education needs classes at the school in question. The Board of Management subsequently submitted an engineer’s report to the department in support of their proposal to knock and rebuild a portion of the school building.

I would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge the very positive and inclusive approach being adopted by the school under reference. Their enthusiasm for opening three new special classes is a good example of the inclusive and welcoming approach that characterises so many of our schools throughout the country.

In view of the reconfirmed sanction by the NCSE, my Department is currently reviewing the content of the engineers report received from the school.

While every effort is made to ensure alignment between NCSE special class approval and an appropriate accommodation plan for those classes, in a very small number of cases, issues may arise when the viability of the accommodation plan is reviewed in detail by the technical team in the Planning and Building Unit.

In providing additional school accommodation, the Department must have regard to cost and to competing demands, and must prioritise spending to achieve best value for money. If one project is disproportionately costly to deliver, the reality is that this will impact on the funding available for other urgent projects. In Ballincollig, as elsewhere in the country, we must therefore look at all options when considering the best approach to meeting the needs of children seeking special class provision. This may include both near term and longer term solutions.

I can confirm to the Deputy that department officials have met with the patron of the school in question in recent weeks with a view to resolving the accommodation needs of special class pupils at the school and in the general area. This engagement considered the engineer’s report but also explored other potential solutions. The department will continue to engage with the patron and school as the options analysis for meeting the needs of children in the area, both in the near term and over the longer term, is progressed.