Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 2 December 2025
267. Deputy Michael Murphy asked the Minister for Education and Youth the detailed delivery plan, including timelines and key milestones, for the full modular build comprising of 14 classrooms and associated facilities to address the accommodation crisis at a school (details supplied); the expected date for the completion of the design and planning stage; and the projected date for delivery and occupation of the new accommodation. [67732/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI can confirm that in March 2025 my department agreed an accommodation brief with the school in question to provide 14 special education classrooms and ancillary accommodation.
Furthermore an official from my department met with representatives of the school and discussed the current building, the site and the programme for a new build as well as the department's intention to run a mini-competition utilising the Sustainable Timber Modular Framework. A tender process subsequently commenced for this mini-competition.
I can assure the Deputy that enabling children with special educational needs to receive a befitting education is a priority for this government. It is also a key priority for my department and for the National Council for Special Education (NCSE).
My department works closely with the National Council of Special Education (NCSE) on the forward planning of new special classes and additional special school places.
The NCSE has sanctioned 407 new special classes for the 2025/26 school year. Of these 16 are in County Tipperary, 8 at primary and 8 at post-primary level. This brings to 154 the number of special classes currently in operation in the county. There are also 3 special schools in Tipperary with approximately 409 students enrolled. One of the five new special schools for the 2025/26 school year has opened in Nenagh also.
The NCSE continues to review the SEN provision requirements in South Tipperary and the wider area in relation to the delivery of special school places.
In relation to the project in question, it is intended that it will be delivered as a design build by Lidan Construction with Healys Architects as the lead designers of a full integrated design team. Lidan were selected on the basis of a competition run under the Sustainable Timber Modular Framework.
I am pleased to advise the Deputy that officials from my department recently met with and are working closely with the school and the selected design team to finalise the procurement of the contractor and confirm site constraints including site access and utilities, which will then allow the school to appoint the contractor and commence the design process. Pursuant to the successful contractor appointment, it is expected that designs will be ready for Local Authority review in early 2026. Subsequent to a successful planning application, works will commence with site works and off site works running concurrently. It is anticipated that the building will be delivered in early 2027.
