Emer Currie (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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887. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if any funding is available for the development of sensory gardens; and if so, whether they can be outlined. [19417/25]

Emer Currie (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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888. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if any funding is available for the development of sensory gardens for schools; and if so, whether they can be outlined. [19418/25]

Emer Currie (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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889. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if any funding is available for the development of sensory gardens for schools, and if so, whether they can be outlined. [19419/25]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 887 to 889, inclusive, together.

Sensory gardens are provided as part of projects delivering accommodation for special classes, if there is not already one at the school. All post primary schools can plan to have an average of four classes and all medium to large primary schools will be expected to have special class provision if they don’t already.

Department of Education's standard schedule of area allocates 100m2 to the External Sensory Garden which is a secure external resource for the school. The specific design requirements of the sensory garden depend on the type, size, and cohort of pupils attending the school. The average cost range for sensory gardens based on a new build green field site, relatively level, free from significant obstructions is €40k - €60k (Incl VAT).

The above average cost will deviate outside the range provided depending on the site specifics and level of preparatory works required to provide the sensory area i.e. a sloping site may require abnormally cost items such as retaining structures to provide the external space which would not be accounted for within the cost range provided.