I can confirm to the Deputy, that the school in question submitted an application for the Additional School Accommodation (ASA) scheme in February 2023. Following assessment of the application and consideration of the situation in the school it was agreed that the project should proceed with the Department’s Project Manager Framework.
A brief issued to the school authority for 2x Modular special education classrooms, 2x Modular mainstream classrooms (1 additional and 1 prefab replacement) and the refurbishment of a damaged roof for the main school building. This brief was agreed to by the school authorities and a Project Manager was appointed on 17th October 2024. The Project Manager visited the school site and conducted a viability report. The viability report was then agreed by the Department and issued to the school on 15th November 2024.
The Board of Management of the school in question responded on 26th November 2024 and the main request was for the inclusion of a central corridor. A Departmental official issued a response to all of the school’s queries and it was stated that a central corridor cannot be provided in the modular buildings for the school, due to the design of the modular brief of accommodation being provided to the school.
Department officials have continued to engage with the school in question over the last number of months and to date there has been no request from the school to change the delivery mechanism that was agreed in October 2024.
Officials in the Department continue to be available to the school should they wish to discuss any further issues.
