Robert Troy
Question:144. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Education the status of an application for an extension by a school (details supplied) to facilitate a special education class. [31593/23]
View answerThursday, 29 June 2023
Questions (144)
Written answers
I can confirm to the Deputy, that my Department approved an application for capital funding under the Additional School Accommodation (ASA) scheme, for the school in question in June 2022.
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.
The approval given was for 2 mainstream classrooms, 1 universal access toilet, 1 Class SEN base, prefab removal and 1 x 100m² modular accommodation. This project has been devolved to the school authorities for delivery.
The school has recently requested an extension to the previous approval, to include a 2 Class SEN base. The Deputy will be aware that the demand's on my Department's capital funding must be balanced across all schools and as such it is not possible to provide funding for an extension to the approved traditional build project, in addition to funding for further modular accommodation in the interim.
My officials have been in touch with the school authorities in relation to this matter and they are awaiting confirmation from the school of their decision to apply for the provision of further modular accommodation, or an increase to the approved build with no further modular accommodation provided. The application will be progressed when the school authorities have reverted in relation to this matter.
My officials remain available to the school authorities for any questions they may have in relation to this application.