Written answers

Wednesday, 22 January 2025

Department of Education and Skills

School Accommodation

Photo of Cathal CroweCathal Crowe (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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543. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the type of modular additional accommodation that has been approved for a primary school in County Clare (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46739/24]

Photo of Norma FoleyNorma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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I can confirm to the Deputy, that my Department is in receipt of an application for capital funding, under the Additional School Accommodation (ASA) scheme, from the school in question.

The purpose of the ASA 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 appointment of Project Managers to the school in the last quarter of 2024 a viability report was undertaken to provide the school with modular accommodation comprising one mainstream classroom. The viability report was subsequently approved and the project was handed over to the Department's modular delivery team in December 2024.

The Department has broadened its delivery streams and is utilising 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.

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.

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.

My Department will continue to consider the specific needs of each school in assessing its accommodation requirements and in determining the appropriate solution, while working to support the achievement of Climate Action objectives.

I can advise the Deputy that the Department of Education's Modular Frameworks require that all accommodation is manufactured in compliance with the latest Irish Building Regulations in force at the time of erection on site and that it must meet, and in some cases exceed, the Department’s building standards for traditional builds which are available on www.gov.ie/education in relation to Building regulations compliance, Assigned Certifier certification, Building Energy Ratings (BER), Disability Access Certificates, Fire Safety Certificates and other standards as referenced in the “Modern Methods of Construction, Introductory Guide for Schools,” which was issued to schools in 2024.

My officials remain available to answer any questions the school may have in this regard.

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