Niamh Smyth (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

65. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she examine the case for extra accommodation raised in correspondence (details supplied); if she will provide an update on this application; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50707/25]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I can confirm that my department is in receipt of an application for funding under the Additional Schools Accommodation (ASA) scheme from the school in question. The application was received in September 2025 and sought accommodation in the form of a Music room, Textiles room, Design and Computer Graphics room, Multimedia room and a Science lab and Prep area.

The purpose of my department’s ASA scheme is to ensure that essential mainstream classroom accommodation and accommodation for pupils with special education needs is available to cater for pupils enrolled each year, where the need cannot be met by the school’s existing accommodation or by available accommodation at other schools in the area.

I am pleased to inform the Deputy that the school in question was approved a traditional build project for a Home economics room, an Engineering room and prep area, and a Construction studies prep area and this project is currently at stage 2b. In addition the school was approved two modular Mainstream classrooms in 2023 and this project is now complete.

I can advise the Deputy that the school also submitted an application under the ASA scheme in February 2025 for special class accommodation and a replacement mainstream classroom. The school had requested that this accommodation be added to their traditional build project however given the delays this would have entailed the school agreed to allow its stage 2b project proceed and to have its accommodation needs reviewed at a later stage. The school was advised, as an interim measure, that they could apply for funding to reconfigure current accommodation for a special class.

The school’s applications for additional accommodation are currently being considered and the school will be contacted directly once a decision has been made. I can only seek to assure you that we will advance this matter as quickly as possible and that we are very conscious that where additional accommodation is required, a significant lead-in time is necessary for a variety of reasons.