Darren O'Rourke (Meath East, Sinn Fein)
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474. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills to provide an update on the construction of a new school building (details supplied), and when it is expected to be completed and opened to students. [51622/25]

Darren O'Rourke (Meath East, Sinn Fein)
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475. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if the construction or opening of a new school building (details supplied) is delayed, the measures that will be put in place for children enrolled in that class to ensure that they are provided with an appropriate education. [51623/25]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 474 and 475 together.

The school to which the Deputy refers was granted approval for the provision of three mainstream classrooms, four science rooms plus preparation areas, two technical/design communication graphics rooms, four special education tuition (SET)rooms, one staff room, in additional accommodation. The project also incorporates reconfiguration works to existing classroom accommodation to create three Special Educational Needs (SEN) classrooms plus ancillary accommodation under my Department's SEN Reconfiguration and Modular accommodation Programme.

This programme involves the use of Project Management supports which is designed to enable the accommodation to be provided as quickly as possible and helps ease the administrative workload for school authorities in relation to the management and delivery of projects. ?Kerrigan Sheanan Newman Project Management (KSN) were appointed, from my Department’s Framework,?to design and tender the project and oversee all elements of construction.???

This additional accommodation project is well advanced is substantially complete and currently ready for occupation. The reconfiguration element of the project to provide the SEN accommodation is due to commence in Q4.

My 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.