As the Deputy may be aware, the primary school referenced is accommodated in a property leased by the Department of Education. The school was approved as a single-stream, eight class primary school.
In all instances, the Department works to ensure that school accommodation capacity is maximised to meet requirements in an area. In that context, the Department-leased property at is also facilitating the special school while its new school building is delivered.
This special school has grown over almost sixty years, and had an enrolment in the last school year of 65 pupils. These children have particular needs, significantly over and above the typical requirements of children in mainstream classes and this is reflected in a much greater proportion of teaching and support staff, and the provision of specific facilities and equipment. Access to a GP room (or “hall”) is an important element of this provision. To meet that need the hall within the building was shared between the schools until October 2022.
Although sanctioned as an eight class room school, the primary school in question grew its enrolments to nine mainstream classes. My Department approved the provision of modular accommodation on the school site to meet this additional need as well as to support the establishment of a special class at the school. At the primary school's request, the Board of Management of the special school agreed to allow the primary school full use of the school hall as an interim solution pending the installation of this modular accommodation. The primary confirmed to the special school that full access to half of the hall would be restored to the special school upon installation of that modular accommodation. The modular accommodation in question has since been installed.
My Department has requested the patron of the primary school to work with the school to fulfil the agreement made with the special school. The Department-supported Buildings Officer within that patron body has been asked to work through an appropriate solution in this respect. Engagement between my Department and patron is ongoing. I can confirm that, on foot of this engagement, the special school in question has access to the hall for the Summer Programme provision.
My Department is also continuing to work to ensure the completion of the new building for the special school as soon as possible. I can confirm to the Deputy that the building project for the special school referred to is at Stage 4 - Construction. Works commenced on site in June 2023 with an estimated completion timeframe of 18 months. However, due to unforeseen site issues at the outset, completion is now estimated at Quarter 2 of 2025. The Design Team and my Department's Planning and Building Unit are monitoring progress closely and every effort will be made to mitigate any further delay.
