Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 5 March 2024
301. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Education to confirm the position in relation to sanction of a new precast modular building for a special school in Tipperary; to confirm the status of this project; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10239/24]
View answerI can confirm to the Deputy, that the school in question has submitted an application for capital funding, under my Department's Additional School Accommodation Scheme (ASA)
The purpose of the Additional School Accommodation scheme is to ensure that essential mainstream and special education classroom accommodation is available to cater for pupils enrolled each year and where the need cannot be met by the school’s existing.
In order to meet these needs my Department has broadened its delivery streams and is utilising Modern Methods of Construction, including Modular Accommodation, as well as traditional construction delivery methods. Modular accommodation has particular advantages in terms of overall timelines and also climate impact in that they do not generally have a reliance on fossil fuels.
In overall terms, it is important to have a range of delivery mechanisms for delivering school accommodation to support the current very strong and ambitious rollout of school building projects. This is particular relevant given the overall challenging construction sector market.
A number of factors are considered by my Department in determining the most appropriate construction method to meet a school’s accommodation requirements, including the timing and duration of that accommodation need, and other school-specific factors.
In support of the expedited delivery of critical school accommodation my Department has put in place a Modular Accommodation Framework. All of these supports help ensure that the administrative burden for schools on procuring and delivering modular accommodation solutions is significantly eased.
The Modular Accommodation Framework solution:
· Has significant benefits in terms of delivery timelines;
· Minimises the impact of the project on the operation of the school;
· Provides quality and sustainable accommodation that meets building regulation requirements and is Near Zero Energy Building (NZEB) compliant; and
· Climate proofing of the accommodation, given that the modular accommodation has the added benefit of utilising decarbonised heating sources which should also help with the school’s energy profile and costs.
A proposed brief for precast modular accommodation was recommended for the school in question. Following consultation and technical considerations it was indicated that precast modular was undeliverable for this school for September 2024.
Officials in my Department are engaging with the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) to determine the current requirements for places in Special schools for September 2024.
I can confirm to the Deputy that the school received approval for 3 modular classrooms in 2023 and these classrooms have since been delivered.
The Department has had on-going engagement with this school with a site visit by the Department's Professional Technical team carried out in recent months. Officials are considering alternative options of delivery for this school to ensure the best possible outcome. A decision on the appropriate delivery stream for this school is under consideration and my officials will continue to engage with the school on this matter.
