Carol Nolan demands action on stalled ASD classroom in Offaly
Carol Nolan raised concerns about long delays to approved works for an ASD classroom and extension at St Brendan's Community School in County Offaly and called for urgent government intervention. She said there has been no progress since the 2018 approval and that the school has been told to wait until the National Development Plan is published.
Page 67 of the programme for government was cited as making reference to the government's commitment to investing in school buildings, a point Nolan used to frame her concern about local delays.
Nolan said St Brendan's Community School in Bor was approved for works in 2018, including an ASD classroom, an extension and other minor works. She told the minister that, despite that approval, there has been no progress and the school has been informed it must wait for the National Development Plan before further work can proceed.
Nolan emphasised the demand for ASD classes in the area and said pupils who need places at St Brendan's are affected by the delay. She described the situation as extremely disappointing and urged immediate intervention to meet local need.
The minister acknowledged that significant investment has been made by the Department of Education across County Offaly and said that investment will continue. The minister also said that the responsible minister will respond directly to the deputy when she returns.
Nolan explicitly asked the minister to intervene urgently with government to resolve the matter and to allow the approved works to proceed so that pupils can access the necessary ASD provision.
Programme for Government reference
Page 67 of the programme for government was cited as making reference to the government's commitment to investing in school buildings, a point Nolan used to frame her concern about local delays.
Approved works and delay
Nolan said St Brendan's Community School in Bor was approved for works in 2018, including an ASD classroom, an extension and other minor works. She told the minister that, despite that approval, there has been no progress and the school has been informed it must wait for the National Development Plan before further work can proceed.
Impact on pupils
Nolan emphasised the demand for ASD classes in the area and said pupils who need places at St Brendan's are affected by the delay. She described the situation as extremely disappointing and urged immediate intervention to meet local need.
Government response
The minister acknowledged that significant investment has been made by the Department of Education across County Offaly and said that investment will continue. The minister also said that the responsible minister will respond directly to the deputy when she returns.
Requested next steps
Nolan explicitly asked the minister to intervene urgently with government to resolve the matter and to allow the approved works to proceed so that pupils can access the necessary ASD provision.
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Transcript
Minister, page 67 of the programme for government makes reference to government's commitment to investing in school buildings, and certainly that's welcome. However, there are serious issues in my own constituency of County Offaly. We have a fantastic school, St Brendan's Community School in Bor, which was approved for works back in 2018. Those works entailed an ASD classroom and extension and other minor works to the school building. Now, from 2018, there's been absolutely no progress. The school, to its frustration, has received information that it will have to wait until the National Development Plan is published before any further progress can be made. Obviously, Minister, I know you'll understand as a former teacher, this is extremely disappointing because there's so much of a demand, a significant demand, for ASD classes. There's pupils that need to come into St Brendan's in Bor. So, I'm asking for you to please intervene urgently with government to sort out this matter and to allow progress to be made. Minister Sir, to respond. Gaurav Matagut. Thanks, Laskan-Chorla, and thanks, Deputy, for raising the issue. I know that across County Offaly, massive investment has already been made by the Department of Education into schools at primary and post-primary level as well, both by this government and by the previous government. And that will continue. But the specific issue that you raised with regard to Bor, Minister Nocton will respond to you directly when she returns. Thank you. Thank you.