Emer Currie (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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381. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills to provide an update on the permanent extension of a school (details supplied); the reasons modular accommodation was not provided in September 2024; if it will be ready for September 2025 or alternative accommodation would be provided for two special classes that were sanctioned in 2025; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37123/25]

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 under the Additional School Accommodation (ASA) scheme from the school in question.

I am pleased to advise the Deputy that the school in question was approved a traditional build extension of one Mainstream classroom, two Special education tuition rooms and two Special education classrooms in 2024. This project is currently at stage 1 with our Devolved delivery unit. In addition, this year, the school has also been approved for an additional two modular Special education classrooms to facilitate the opening of two special classes for the 2025/26 school year. This accommodation is being progressed through the department’s Modular Accommodation Framework.

In support of the expedited delivery of critical school accommodation my department has put in place a Modular Accommodation Framework. In addition, my department has put new project manager support in place to assist schools with the delivery of this critical modular accommodation. The use of my department’s Modular Accommodation Framework also assists in ensuring lead in periods for procurement of modular accommodation are minimised to the greatest extent possible. All of these supports help ensure that the administrative burden for schools on procuring and delivering modular accommodation solutions is significantly eased.

Since 2020, my department has invested over €6 billion in our schools throughout the country under the National Development Plan, involving the completion of over 1,375 school building projects. Government support for this investment, including by way of supplementary capital funding, has delivered real benefits for school communities. A recent Government decision has approved €210m supplementary capital funding for my department which brings the total capital allocation for 2025 for my department to €1.6bn.

It is not possible to give definitive timeframes for the completion of school building projects, however my department can confirm that it is intended to deliver the modular project for two special education classrooms as soon as possible. It is targeted to have it in place either in advance of the 2025/26 school year or within the first term. The local special educational needs organiser (SENO) remains available to assist schools where accommodation is not in place in time for the start of the new school year.

I can assure the Deputy that officials from my department are currently working closely with the project manager and the school authority to ensure that the new modular classrooms are delivered as soon as practicable.