Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 2 October 2025
281. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Education and Youth the plans to increase capacity in a school (details supplied) to cater for the growing number of applicants in the area; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52623/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI can confirm to the Deputy, that my department approved capital funding under the Additional School Accommodation (ASA) scheme, for the school in question.
The purpose of the ASA scheme is to ensure that essential mainstream classroom and Special education needs (SEN) accommodation is available to cater for pupils enrolled each year, where the need cannot be met by the school's existing accommodation or at other schools in the area.
The school in question was approved 2 Special education classrooms in Modular accommodation. This project is currently in delivery and at stage 3. Additionally, the school were approved a 4 class Special education classroom traditional build, which is currently at stage 1.
At the time of the assessment it was found that the school had adequate mainstream accommodation. If the school believe there is a need for further additional accommodation, then it is open to them to submit a further application under the ASA scheme. This will be assessed taking into account the needs and capacity at the school and the wider School Planning Area.
