Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 25 July 2023
418. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Education if she will ensure that a modular classroom project at a school (details supplied) proceeds without further delay so that the infrastructure can be in place in time for the upcoming new school year. [35660/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am pleased to advise the Deputy that approval under the Additional School Accommodation scheme has issued to the school in question for the provision of a special education needs (SEN) class and a special education teaching room.
The project is being delivered under the Department’s Devolved SEN Reconfiguration and Modular Accommodation programme. The Department has a significant modular accommodation programme in place to assist schools in the provision of additional capacity, including in respect of facilitating the establishment of special classes.
This programme involves the use of Project Management supports which is designed to enable the accommodation to be provided as quickly as possible and help ease the administrative workload for school authorities in relation to the management and delivery of projects. The use of the Department’s Modular Accommodation Framework also assists in ensuring lead in periods for procurement of modular accommodation are minimised to the greatest extent possible. To date, this has worked very well in the education sector and has seen delivery of large scale, high quality modular accommodation to meet the needs of children, particularly those with special educational needs.
However, the wider context in relation to the overall modular market at present is challenging with modular accommodation suppliers being very busy across commercial, housing and other sectors. The Department is working closely with the Project Management teams and the modular accommodation suppliers to ensure additional capacity for the schools sector is delivered as quickly as possible.
