'The department needs to sort' safety issues that forced school closure, says Tánaiste
St Patrick's Primary School sent classes home last month after concerns emerged about the condition of the 19-year-old prefabs. File picture
The closure of a school in Kildare over safety concerns "needs to be sorted", Tánaiste Simon Harris has said.
Parents at St Patrick's Primary School were told on Wednesday that children would be sent home due to fears around the condition of its prefabs. The school sent classes home last month after concerns emerged about the condition of the 19-year-old prefabs.
In a letter to parents, the school’s board of management said reviews had identified several issues. The Department of Education said in a statement that the school's board was to meet to discuss its option.
"There was a constructive meeting with St Patrick's school, the school board, patron, and Department of Education and Youth today. The board will meet later to discuss next steps," a spokesperson said.
A consultant's report last year found the building “is not fit for purpose to operate without considerable risk” and “is unsafe and poses a serious immediate threat to the well-being, health, and safety of the occupants and users".
The review recommended that a "full review of the overall system, including emergency and escape lighting, must be carried out by a specialist fire protection systems specialist, and upgrade to current standards and regulations as required".
Speaking in the Dáil on Thursday, Social Democrats TD Aidan Farrelly said he had, in recent weeks, appealed for intervention on behalf of the school.
"The Department of Education knew about the problems in the school as far back as last summer. The Tánaiste has been at pains to tell us this morning that he has capital. The community of Celbridge needs capital.
"It needs investment and a plan in the short-, medium-, and long-term for those children and parents who are at home. What is the plan for those children and their education going forward?"
In response, Mr Harris said the issue needed to be solved. "The department has received a number of emergency works applications from the school. There has been a back-and-forth discussion.
"Frankly, I do not think it is helpful to read it out. This needs to be sorted. The department needs to sort it as well. We do not need to be 'penpals international' here. We need people in a room working out these issues so this school can reopen as a matter of priority."
Sinn Féin TD Reada Cronin said parents had been left with short notice to organise childcare and the school had waited 19 years for a permanent home.
"We need information on a timeline today so we can give that to parents this evening. The parents, staff, and students deserve transparency and reassurance on this.
"I ask the minister to outline what steps her department is taking to ensure proper, safe facilities to secure an immediate return of these children to school."
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