591. Deputy Micheál Carrigy asked the Minister for Education and Youth regarding the project (details supplied) for approval to enter a short-term rental arrangement for a room within their local community centre as an interim measure for SEN facilities due to lack of space in the current school building, while the building project at the school, that is currently in phase 1, progresses. [34612/26]

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 by available accommodation at other schools in the area.

The NDP Implementation Plan for the Education and Youth sector 2026-2030 along with the first tranche of projects to progress to tender and/or construction during 2026 and 2027 was published in January 2026. This NDP Implementation Plan will optimise outputs from the NDP allocations, with a strong focus on maximising existing school capacity across the school estate and also ensuring that school admissions policies and processes are targeted at meeting local mainstream and special class requirements. This will facilitate the funding of projects where local capacity across schools in the area is insufficient, and ensuring delivery that is affordable, offers value for money, and meets functional needs.

I can confirm to the Deputy that the school in question has made contact with my department seeking approval for the interim rental of accommodation pending the delivery of their traditional build. An official from my department has been liaising with the school in relation to supporting documentation and the matter is currently under consideration.  As soon as a decision is made a response will issue to the school authority directly.

I am pleased to advise the Deputy that the school in question was approved a traditional build project for 2 Special Education Tuition rooms in 2024 under my department's Additional School Accommodation (ASA) Scheme.  The project is currently at stage 1.