Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 9 July 2024
316. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Education if she will address the need for new autism classes to be opened in a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29365/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI can confirm to the Deputy, that my Department is in receipt of an application from the school in question for the Additional School Accommodation (ASA) scheme.
The purpose of the ASA scheme is to ensure that essential mainstream and special education classroom accommodation is available to cater for pupils enrolled each year and where the need cannot be met by the school’s existing accommodation or by available accommodation at other schools in the area.
The school in question has accepted an offer under the ASA scheme and this project is now with my Department's Project Manager (PM) Framework. Following a visit to the school by the PMs, the results of a Viability Report were provided to the school for agreement and the school authorities raised concerns relating to the design.
I can confirm that my officials have been in touch with the school directly to discuss this matter and the parameters of the ASA scheme for reconfiguration projects. A revised design is being prepared by the PMs on foot of this discussion and this will be shared with the school authorities for agreement in due course.
My officials are available to work with the school authorities in relation to any issues they have throughout this process.
