Written answers

Wednesday, 11 June 2025

Department of Education and Skills

School Funding

Photo of Cian O'CallaghanCian O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay North, Social Democrats)
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130. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if a grant received by a school (details supplied) will be reviewed given the school has been refused the sensory room grant; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31101/25]

Photo of Helen McEnteeHelen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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Under the new streamlined arrangements for the established of special educational needs (SEN) classes for 2025 an enhanced grant amount of €30,000 is applicable for each new SEN classroom sanctioned and opened for the 2025/26 school year. This is one single grant paid by my Department to replace the need for the school to apply individually for the following existing funding:

  • SEN Start-Up Grant (€6,500)
  • Loose F&E Grant (€2,500)
  • ICT Grant (€6,700)
  • Sensory Room Grant (€7,000)
  • Under this process schools have flexibility as to how they deploy this funding subject to the understanding and acceptance that this would be the full and final capital grant covering core requirements in the areas of furniture and equipment, classroom ICT, sensory room fit out grant/creation of a quiet space, and room decoration.
  • As the start-up grant was already paid to the school in question, for the opening of the new SEN classroom in 2025, already included provision of funding for a sensory room there is no additional funding available to the school for a sensory room.

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