Seán Canney (Galway East, Independent)
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122. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if her Department will provide the temporary accommodation necessary to allow a school (details supplied) carry out its proposed works; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27215/24]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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The school referred to by the Deputy was approved to enter the department’s pipeline of school buildings for a project to provide 2 mainstream classrooms, 1 special education teaching room and the refurbishment of 4 existing classrooms into 2 mainstream classrooms. The responsibility for delivery of the project has been devolved to the school authority.

The initial architectural design stage of the project was approved after a thorough review by professional and technical officials in my department. The restricted nature of the site posed challenges and the department were ultimately informed that the school authority has acquired additional land which prompted a request for a revised Stage 1/2a architectural report to be submitted outlining alternative options to be considered.

My Department is anxious to provide as much practical assistance and advice to the school as possible in order to deliver the best long term accommodation for the school community while minimising the acknowledged disruption to any school undergoing large capital investment. My professional and technical officials have already met the school and its design team twice in this regard. This engagement is now ongoing with the school’s design team in order to obtain an updated cost plan and detailed design from the school. The requirement for temporary accommodation will be considered in this context.