Pádraig O'Sullivan (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)
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162. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the status of a new building for a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37427/24]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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The school to which the Deputy refers was approved to enter the department’s pipeline for a project under the Additional School Accommodation (ASA) Scheme. The project will provide five mainstream classrooms, one SET room and a two classroom Special Education Needs (SEN) base. The project was devolved to the school authority for delivery.

My department received a stage 1 report in Q2 2024. This is currently being reviewed from both a technical and cost perspective in accordance with the requirements of the Public Spending Code. All projects, including this one, will undergo the necessary due diligence outlined in the public Infrastructure Guidelines. Managing timing, scope, and cost is crucial to staying within budgetary limits for the overall program.

Once this review is complete my department will be in touch with the school authority on how best to progress this important project.

Cathal Crowe (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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163. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if her Department will urgently approve an application made by a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37428/24]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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The school referred to by the Deputy was approved to enter my Department’s pipeline of school buildings in 2017 for a project under the Additional School Accommodation (ASA) Scheme to provide 1 Mainstream Classroom, 1 Staff Room and 1 classroom SEN base. The project was devolved to the school authority for delivery.

I can confirm that in 2017 the school submitted a further a request for an increase in accommodation within the SEN base to meet with the demographic needs for SEN places in the school. Approval for an increase in the brief from a one to two classroom SEN Base was provided to the school authority in 2018.

Due to the change in project brief this project was delivered on a phased base with phase one being completed in 2018 and delivering 1 mainstream classroom & 1 staff room. The school received furniture, equipment and ICT grants associated with this accommodation.

Approval to construction of the two classroom SEN base was issued to the school in 2022. Officials at my Department have confirmed that up to 90% percent of the allocated grant aid has been issued to the school. A Furniture & Equipment Grant and ICT Grant for a 2 classroom SEN form part of the ASA project approval and will be issued to the school authority shortly.