Dáil Éireann Debate, Monday - 11 September 2023
693. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Education if she is aware of the delay in opening a new ASD unit in a school (details supplied) whereby the unit is not opening in time for the start of the school year; the reason these delays in construction have occurred; the measures that are in place to ensure the new unit opens on the new date of 18 September 2023 as planned; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38644/23]
View answerAs the Deputy is aware, my Department issued approval under the Additional School Accommodation scheme for provision of two special education needs classes. The project is devolved to the school authority and is being delivered under the Department’s SEN Reconfiguration and Modular Accommodation programme.
This programme provides project management supports to enable the accommodation to be provided as quickly as possible and helps to ease the administrative workload for individual schools in relation to the management and delivery of the project. This entails the use of the Department's frameworks for the design and construction of the project which mitigates procurement and other risks while expediting delivery.
The overall construction sector environment is nevertheless challenging. The Department and the Project Management company are doing everything possible to ensure that the project is delivered as quickly as possible. My Department is fully aware of the urgency in respect of this important project and will work closely with the school authority and its project manager in order to ensure the project is completed as soon as possible and that the school is updated directly on all progress and timelines.
