Carol Nolan (Offaly, Independent)
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366. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the status of an application for a modular unit for a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15009/25]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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I can confirm to the Deputy that the Department received an application under the department's Additional School Accommodation (ASA) Scheme from the school in question for the provision of a modular classroom.

The purpose of the 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.

Since 2020, my department has invested over €5.8 billion in our schools throughout the country, involving the completion of over 1,300 school building projects.? Between projects currently under construction and projects moving to construction in the coming months, investments by the Department of Education are adding over 600,000 square metres of new and modernised capacity to our school estate.??

This is a record level of investment in school buildings. It will expand the number of school places, significantly increase provision for special education and upgrade and modernise our school infrastructure.?The impact of this will be felt in communities right around the country.?

The Programme for Government recognises the importance of strong capital investment in the school building programme and supporting this with enhanced allocations through the NDP process.??

In County Offaly alone, in the period 2020 – 2024, the department has invested €67.96 million on school building projects. There were 28 projects completed in Offaly in the period 2020 to 2024 and there are currently 5 projects in construction and 2 modular projects at an advanced stage of delivery.

I wish to advise the Deputy that schools' applications for additional accommodation are assessed on the basis of current enrolment data, demographic projections of additional school place requirements, and capacity across schools in the area. The application from the school in question is currently being reassessed in the context of the most recent enrolment data and an official will engage with the school to discuss the matter.