Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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The project to which the Deputy refers has been devolved to the National Development Finance Agency (NDFA) for delivery as part of a programme of school building projects.

The project is currently at Stage 2b of the architectural process. The planning application was lodged with Wicklow County Council and full grant of planning permission has been received.

When Stage 2b has been finalised and approved, the next stage is tendering for a contractor and then onwards to construction in due course.

It is not possible to provide a definitive timeline for completion of the project at this juncture. The NDFA will be engaging directly with the school in regards to progressing this very important project.

Willie O'Dea (Limerick City, Fianna Fail)
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203. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills to provide an update on additional accommodation to include two special classes at a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30603/24]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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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, and a further revised application for additional accommodation was received in December 2023, from the school in question.

Since 2020, my Department has invested in the region of €4.9 billion in our schools throughout the country, involving the completion of over 900 school building projects and with construction currently underway at approximately 300 other projects, which includes 30 new school buildings. These 300 projects currently at construction involve a total State investment of over €1.2bn.

The purpose of my Department’s Additional School Accommodation (or ASA) scheme is to ensure that essential mainstream classroom accommodation and accommodation for pupils with special education needs is available to cater for pupils enrolled each year, where the need cannot be met by the school’s existing accommodation or at other schools in the area.

At primary level, this situation generally arises to cater for a school’s accommodation requirements where an additional teaching post has been sanctioned by Teacher Allocation Section, or the requirement for a new class for pupils with special education needs has been identified by the National Council for Special Education (NCSE), and all available alternative accommodation within the school is already being used for classroom purposes. The capacity at other schools in the area is also considered as part of the assessment of any accommodation needs.

I can confirm that my officials have been engaging with the school authorities in relation to progressing their application with both a modular and traditional build project. Once the assessment process has been finalised, the school authority will be notified of the decision directly.