346. Deputy Marian Harkin asked the Minister for Education for a detailed update and timeline for the provision of additional accommodation for a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25503/24]

347. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Education if she will direct her Department to expedite an application for additional accommodation for a school which is required urgently (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25505/24]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 346 and 347 together.

I wish to advise the Deputy that my Department is in receipt of an application for additional school accommodation (ASA) from the school authority in question. The school’s application for capital funding was assessed and the Department made a decision to broaden the scope of the project taking in to consideration the future needs of the school and the school planning area more generally. The school agreed a proposed brief of:

1x Special Education Classroom

1x Mainstream Classroom

1x Special Education tuition room

The consideration of the accommodation requirements for the school in question forms part of the Planning and Building Unit’s overall assessment of its work programme and priorities in the context of available capital funding.

The provision of required school places, including for children with special educational needs, is a priority for my Department. My officials are working to ensure that there is sufficient provision to meet the school place needs in the school in question and the wider area for 2024/25 and future years.

The project is currently with our Professional & Technical department, who are preparing the project for the next phase. I can assure the Deputy officials in my Department are working to progress the project to the next phase as soon as possible.