Matt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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290. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the status of the proposal by a school (details supplied) to develop two ASD modular units within the existing play area of the school; the reasons for the delay in delivery thus far; if she will ensure that this development is expedited considering the pressures on the school at present; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49916/25]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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The school to which the Deputy refers to was granted approval for the provision of two special educational needs (SEN) classrooms under my Department’s SEN Reconfiguration and Modular Accommodation programme in January 2025.

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.

Kerrigan Sheanon Newman Project Management (KSN) was appointed, from the Department’s Frameworkto design and tender the project and oversee all elements of construction.The first tranche of funding (45%) was issued to the school authority in February 2025.

Due to the nature of the project and to comply with the statutory process a planning application has been submitted to Monaghan County Council with a final decision expected in late November 2025. The Department is fully aware of the urgency in respect of this accommodation and will be working closely with the Project Managers and School Authority to keep it updated on overall project delivery and timelines.