Shane Moynihan (Dublin Mid West, Fianna Fail)
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334. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the status of the placement of two modular SEN classrooms at a school (details supplied); if considerations around the need to maintain the maximum amount of grass play areas are being taken into account; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27606/25]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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I can confirm to the Deputy, that my officials are engaging with the school in question to progress the delivery of 2 Special education modular classrooms. The modular project is to be delivered by an appointed Project Manager under my department's Project Manager Framework.

As the Deputy will be aware, this will require the use of some of their current playing space. I can confirm that the preferred alternative option requested by the school was explored by the Project Manager. Following consultation with the Project Manager’s planning consultant, this location was not deemed to be a suitable location. This is due to its proximity to a proposed Natural Heritage Area and the Liffey Valley Special Amenity Area Order, the fact that the site is located within a Flood Risk Zone and a designated Riparian corridor. These issues have been raised with the school authorities directly.

As such the only viable location for this accommodation is to the front of the school and unfortunately this will require some of their grass playing area for the development. This is unavoidable, but the Deputy will appreciate that the demand for special class places in the School Planning Area is such that there is a need for the modular accommodation to be installed at the school in question.

My officials are engaging with the school in relation to the issues raised and will continue to do so.

Mark Wall (Kildare South, Labour)
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335. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills when schools will receive their allocations of SNA for the forthcoming 2025/2026 educational year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27609/25]

Michael Moynihan (Cork North-West, Fianna Fail)
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Special needs assistant (SNA) allocations for mainstream classes for the 2025/2026 school year are presently being finalised by the NCSE and will be advised to schools in the coming days and in line with previous years’ timelines.