Michael Cahill (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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443. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills to assist a school (details supplied) in County Kerry in the purchase of additional autism equipment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [63003/25]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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In relation to the school referred, my Department approved funding for re-purposing to provide one Special Education Needs Classroom (SEN) and the provision of Modular Accommodation comprising one Mainstream Classroom, one SET room and one Art Room under my Department’s Reconfiguration and Modular Accommodation Programme.

This approach supports accelerated delivery of the accommodation and maximises assistance to the school for this brief. A Project Management company has be appointed, from the Department’s Framework, to design and tender the project.

Under the terms of this scheme, a play area is provided as a condition for the provision of the SEN classroom. A set grant amount is provided to schools which allows them to purchase equipment for the soft play area. A maximum of €5000 is allowed per SEN class towards the purchase and installation of suitable play equipment. The onus is on the school authority to determine what equipment will be required based on the pupils needs and requirements in conjunction with the project managers.