Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 25 June 2025
90. Deputy Conor D. McGuinness asked the Minister for Education and Youth the current status of the project to deliver two modular units for St. John’s Special School in Dungarvan; to confirm precisely when her Department’s modular accommodation unit was tasked with progressing the project; if she will commit to ensuring the units are in place by September 2025; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34844/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe school to which the deputy refers will be provided with two special needs classrooms under my Department’s SEN Reconfiguration and Modular Accommodation programme.
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. Kerrigan Sheanon Newman Project Management (KSN) has been appointed, from the Department’s Framework, to design and tender the project and oversee all elements of construction.
The contractor is expected to commence mobilising on site on Tuesday 24 June.
The modular units are manufactured. The Department is engaging with the school and patron on the practical arrangements in relation to the provision of the modular units, including fit-out and it is expected that this will be finalised shortly.
The Project Managers and the modular supplier are working very proactively to have the modular unit in place as early as possible in Q4 2025. This will mean that some interim/transition arrangements will be required from 1 September until the modular unit is ready for occupation. The precise length of time for these interim/transition arrangements will become clearer over the summer period as the on-site works progress and the modular unit is set up on site, linked to services, commissioned and certified.
