School Admissions

Tuesday, 15 July 2025

Questions (476)

Roderic O'Gorman

Question:

476. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Education and Youth the reason a situation has come about that parents of children with autism were, at the end of May, offered places in an autism class in a school (details supplied) to start in September but now the parents have been told that he class will not start for an indefinite period of time; the examination has been carried out of other potential temporary local locations for the class; the educational provision being made for these children for the indefinite period of time until the necessary building works are complete; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39219/25]

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Written answers

Minister for Education and Youth

The school was approved to enter the Department’s pipeline for a project under the Additional School Accommodation (ASA) Scheme to provide one Special Education Classroom. The project was devolved to the school authority for delivery.

My Department has been working closely with the school to ensure that this project advances as efficiently as possible, and the project has now been approved to proceed to the construction stage.

Responsibility for progressing the build now rests with the school, and the Department has been engaging with the school throughout to support timely delivery of the project. The Department understands that the school has kept its community informed as appropriate.

The builder has confirmed that construction will commence in August with a projected completion during the October mid-term break. In the meantime, the school has interim arrangements in place to meet students’ needs until the permanent accommodation is complete and the school has confirmed they will be contacting the parents directly to advise these arrangements.