Resources/Accomodation
School Buildings
An Foras Pátrunachta believes that every student deserves to attend school in a building that is suitable for the child’s needs, that is safe and warm with plenty of space to play and exercise.
As the patron of a significant number of Gaelscoileanna and Gaelcholáistí that have been opened in the last forty years, An Foras Patrúnachta has an insight into the difficulties that principals and Boards of Management face when they have to open schools in buildings that are unsuitable and in areas that are outside the official school catchment area.
We are very cognaisant of the fact that poor accommodation is one of the biggest obstacles faced by new school communities. An Foras Pátrunachta continues to work closely with the Department of Education and other stakeholders to ensure that new Gaelscoileanna and Gaelcholáistí are opened in a manner that is as positive and efficient as possible. It is our hope that new schools will be opened in permanent accommodation as normal practice in the future.
- Buildings Manager
- The Additional School Accommodation (ASA)
- Works
- Leases, Insurance, Furniture & Maintenance
- Further Information
Buildings Manager
Our Buildings Manager is available at all times to support schools with accommodation matters. She is the national office contact responsible for school accommodation and property management, including leases and rental agreements.
The Buildings Manager negotiates between schools and the Department of Education so that the ‘headache’ for principals due to accommodation matters can be alleviated.
The following are some of the accommodation matters that our building’s officer supports regularly.
siobhan@foras.ie | 086-8032226
The Additional School Accommodation (ASA)
The purpose of this scheme is to ensure that the necessary classroom accommodation is available to accommodate students enrolled in the school each year. In the event that the school’s current accommodation cannot meet the need, an application is made for additional accommodation. Download the scheme here
Works
Emergency Works
The main purpose of the Emergency Works Scheme is to provide funding for urgent works to those schools that are in need of resources due to an emergency situation or after receiving an enrollment request from a special needs student.
Summer Works
The purpose of the Summer Works Scheme is to award a grant to a school to enable them to carry out small-scale building works, which could be carried out during the summer months or at other times when they would not interfere with the day-to-day work of school.
Leases, Insurance, Furniture & Maintenance
Leases
When there is a lease or a licence on a school building, An Foras Pátrúnachta or the Department of Education sign the lease. To that end, it is necessary for An Foras Patrúnachta to always be central in the discussion and agreement.
Insurance
If you have any questions about insurance matters call Ciaran Doyle – Aston Lark 0868367320. The Buildings Manager can also be contacted for support and advice.
Building Maintenance
It is very important that regular maintenance is carried out on school buildings in order to avoid emergency works etc. To that end, each school should keep maintenance files in which the annual building’s maintenance plan is clearly outlined. The Buildings Manager can help and support principals to collate and implement this.
Furniture, TE grants of etc.
If you have any questions about grants available please contact the Buildings Manager.
Further Information
Management Improvement Programmes
Negotiation
Negotiation with the various sections in the Construction Department within the Education Department on behalf of the school
The building’s officer negotiates with the Department of Education regarding accommodation requests on behalf of schools.
Guide through technical guidance documents
The Department of Education has published numerous technical guidance documents. The Building Manager can guide principals and Boards of Management to the appropriate documents when necessary.
Percentage for Art
A grant is awarded to each newly built permanent building to design and provide a piece of art in the school. Here are the guidelines
Meeting Attendence
The Buildings Manager attends all meetings during the design and building process, school transfers and school extensions for each of our schools.
Latest News
Accomodation
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