Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 16 July 2026
8. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Education and Youth whether, when considering the provision of modular accommodation for special education classes in schools, her Department assesses the wider curricular, accommodation and long-term development needs of the school, including projected enrolment growth, specialist teaching spaces and future permanent accommodation requirements; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [54251/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy department’s approach is to maximise use of the capacity of the existing school estate as much as possible in the first instance and provide necessary additional capacity through targeted and prioritised project rollout over the course of 2026 to 2030 to meet the most urgent needs.
The requirement for both mainstream and special education school places is kept under ongoing review using a geographical information system and the latest available data on local school capacity, population, child benefit, enrolments and residential development activity. Engagement with local school authorities also helps identify where pressure for school places across the country may arise and where additional school accommodation is needed at primary and post-primary level.
A number of factors are considered by my department in determining the most appropriate construction method to meet a school’s accommodation requirements, including the timing and duration of that accommodation need, and other school-specific factors. Modern methods of construction are an increasingly important feature of the construction landscape. The department’s modular programme is part of this and provides permanent and sustainable accommodation solutions.
The Department of Education engages intensely with the NCSE in relation to the forward planning of new special education places. This work involves a detailed review of statistical data in relation to forecasting demand, an analysis of existing school accommodation capacity and a particular focus on the provision of special classes.
Approximately 85% of the 584 additional special classes sanctioned by the NCSE for the upcoming school year are being established in repurposed existing classrooms with a further 10% being delivered as part of traditional building rollout and the remaining 5% involving the provision of a new modular classroom.
If a school has other additional accommodation requirements, this can also be assessed and considered by my department. Where my department is satisfied that there are such urgent mainstream or curriculum prioritised needs, this can also be dealt with as part of a modular accommodation project subject, of course, to relevant technical and site capacity considerations. However, it is important to note that special class provision is the focus and priority for modular accommodation projects.
