'Dire condition' of Kildare North school raised in Dáil

The “dire condition” of a Kildare North school is causing “distress” to students and teachers, a Sinn Féin TD has claimed.

TD for North Kildare, Deputy Réada Cronin was speaking in the Dáil this week with regard to the condition of Scoil na Mainstreach in Celbridge.

She said: “Scoil na Mainistreach has had an ongoing issue with a roof over the past few years, and it is only getting worse.

“The school has had contractors out and they said it should not attempt another patch job after numerous patch jobs given the poor construction of the school in the first instance.

“The contractors are also concerned that the internal structure of the school has been damaged.”

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According to Deputy Cronin, the school applied for funding under the emergency works scheme, but this was rejected by the Department as it did not fall under the category of emergency works.

Deputy Cronin added: “To parents in Celbridge who are sick and tired of their schools being disregarded by the Department of education, this is just pedantic.

“I ask the Taoiseach to speak to the Minister and her Department to cut through the red tape and ensure the school gets a new roof over the summer, ensuring no further damage to the building.”

Responding to Deputy Cronin, the Taoiseach, Micheál Martin, said that a new roof would “probably not fall under emergency works” but “probably falls under some project.”

An entire new roof would be “substantial”, he stated.

However, following protestations from Deputy Cronin, the Taoiseach agreed to speak to the Minister of Education with regard to the matter.