Ciarán Ahern (Dublin South West, Labour)
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535. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills for an update on the expansion of the autism class in a school (details supplied); when the expanded class is expected to be operational; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17414/25]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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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 Additional Schools Accommodation (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.

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.??

I can confirm to the Deputy that the school provided a feasibility study with a proposal for reconfiguration works to allow for an appropriately sized Special education classroom. The Feasibility study has been sent to my department's Professional and Technical Division for review. My officials will be in touch with the school in question when this review has been completed.