James O'Connor (Cork East, Fianna Fail)
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393. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding modular accommodation for a special class at a school (details supplied); the position regarding application for associated SEN repurposing grant; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33731/25]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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I can confirm that my department is in receipt of an application for capital funding under the Additional School Accommodation (ASA) scheme for modular accommodation from the school referred to by the Deputy.

My department has a significant modular accommodation programme in place to assist schools in the provision of additional capacity, including in respect of facilitating the establishment of special classes. This programme involves the use of Project Management supports which is designed to enable the accommodation to be provided as quickly as possible and help ease the administrative workload for school authorities in relation to the management and delivery of projects.

A Project Manager has been appointed from the Department’s Modular Framework for the school in question and has completed a comprehensive viability report of the school site. The viability report will issue to the school shortly and my department will progress the project as quickly as possible.

The SEN re-purposing application will not be progressed as my department is undertaking a modular project for the school.

I can assure the Deputy that my department is very cognisant of the urgency around the delivery of accommodation for the new school year and is working to advance matters as quickly as possible. The provision of required school places, including for children with special educational needs, is a priority for my department. My officials remain available to provide advice and assistance to the school authority throughout the ongoing project.