Pádraig O'Sullivan (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)
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223. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills when work will commence on an SEN reconfiguration project for a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39031/24]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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I am pleased to advise the Deputy that approval under the Department's Additional School Accommodation scheme issued to the school in question in May 2025 for reconfiguration of part of the main building to provide 1 x Technology Room/ Prep Area & toilets to facilitate co-education.

The project is being delivered under the Department’s Devolved SEN Reconfiguration and Modular Accommodation programme. The Department has a significant 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 project is currently at design stage. The detailed design pack has been reviewed by the Department and comments have now issued to the Project Manager for their consideration and progression. The tentative start on-site date is late October 2024 with a tentative completion date expected in Q1 2025. The Department is fully aware of the urgency associated with this project and will continue to work closely with the Project Managers and the School Authority to deliver this project as efficiently as possible.