Cathal Crowe (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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684. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if grant funding awarded to a school (details supplied) in 2024 to develop an autism class provides for the provision of a sensory garden; if not, the funding pathway for the provision of same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [58180/25]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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I can confirm that the school in question received grant aid in 2024 in the amount of €22,700 for the purposes of establishing a special education class. This grant aid comprised a Start-up grant of €6,500, a Loose Furniture and Equipment grant of €2,500, an ICT grant of €6,700 and a sensory room grant in the amount of €7,000.

Any residual funding remaining after the core requirements are met may be used to carry out small-scale works elsewhere in the school to support inclusion of students with SEN.

I wish to advise to the Deputy that sensory gardens form part of the accommodation brief for Special Education Classroom accommodation for new school buildings and major extension projects (if there is not already one at the school). The overall accommodation suite for students with special education needs also generally includes ancillary accommodation such as a Central Activities Space, a Multi Activity Room and Quiet Spaces as well as an outdoor Secure Play Area.

Previously named the Summer Works Scheme, a new Climate Action Summer Works Scheme was announced earlier this year. This scheme now has a strong climate dimension and enables schools to undertake small and medium scale maintenance and improvement works such as insulation, LED lighting, the provision of EV chargers and bike racks, as well as the traditional maintenance work associated with the scheme.

Another important funding stream for primary schools is the Minor Works Grant. This funding provides good flexibility at local level to assist schools to manage and undertake works that support the operation of the school. All schools have the autonomy to use this funding for maintenance and small-scale improvements to school buildings and grounds. Given that each school setting is different, individual schools are best placed to decide how best to use this funding to address their needs. The works that can be undertaken under the minor works scheme include maintenance and small-scale improvements to school buildings and grounds, improvement or replacement of mechanical and electrical services, the purchase of standard furniture and physical education equipment, the purchase of IT related equipment, ventilation improvements, and enhancements to outdoor learning environments.

It is open to all schools to submit an application under my department's Additional School Accommodation (ASA) scheme, if they do not have sufficient mainstream and special education accommodation to cater for their current cohort of pupils and teachers. This includes funding for repurposing of existing school accommodation for special educational needs and where a class has been sanctioned by the NCSE.

Sensory gardens do not come under the remit of the ASA scheme, however schools are free to use the grants available, set out above, for this purpose after the core requirements of the set-up of a special class are met.