Seán Canney (Galway East, Independent)
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249. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills when a school (details supplied) will be approved for an additional mainstream classroom which is required for the next school year commencing September 2024; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7422/24]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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I can confirm that the Department is in receipt of an application, under the Additional School Accommodation scheme, from the above named school. 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 accommodation or by other schools in the area.

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.

In the context of making the most effective use of our capital allocation, and mindful of climate action goals, we are working to make sure that all school accommodation capacity is being maximised. We are looking at how each individual school's accommodation can be best utilised and at capacity across schools in each school planning area.

This application is currently under consideration. When a final decision has been reached it will be communicated by my Department to the school authorities.