Pearse Doherty (Donegal, Sinn Fein)
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267. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Question No. 246 of 21 November 2023, if she will provide an update and a timeframe for an extension to a school (details supplied) consisting of an additional modular classroom, which was approved in March 2023; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6087/24]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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Further to Parliamentary Question No.246 of 21 November 2023 I can confirm to the Deputy, that my Department is in receipt of an application for capital funding, under the Additional School Accommodation (ASA) scheme from the school in question.

The purpose of the Additional Schools Accommodation (ASA) 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 accommodation.

My Department's focus is on the most critical needs for the next school year and how each individual school’s accommodation can be best utilised and at capacity across schools in each school planning area. In the context of making most effective use of our capital allocation, and mindful of climate action goals, my officials are working to make sure that all school accommodation capacity is being maximised. The application for the school to which the Deputy refers to is being considered in this context and a decision will be communicated to the school as soon as possible.

The consideration of the accommodation requirements for the school in question forms part of the Planning and Building Unit’s overall assessment of its work programme and priorities in the context of available capital funding.

The provision of required school places, including for children with special educational needs, is a priority for my Department. My officials are working to ensure that there is sufficient provision to meet the school place needs in the school in question and the wider area for 2024/25 and future years.