Government say strategy for Donegal schools with defective blocks will be developed

Minister for Education and Youth Helen McEntee says her Department is developing a strategy to address the issue of defective blocks in school buildings.

The move that comes directly after a visit to Drumfad National School in Kerrykeel on the Fanad peninsula by Sinn Féin TDs for Donegal, Deputy Pearse Doherty and Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn, who have welcomed confirmation of the plan.

The reply to their Parliamentary Question confirms that Department officials will visit affected schools in the coming months, after which a strategy will be developed. However, the Deputies have warned that they are yet to be convinced that the government will treat the matter with the urgency required.

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Teachta Mac Lochlainn said: “This is the first time that the Government has formally committed to developing a strategy for our schools affected by defective blocks.

"When Pearse and I visited Drumfad National School earlier this week, we saw first-hand the impact defective blocks are having on children, teachers and parents. The situation there - and in a growing number of schools across Donegal - i/s completely unacceptable.

"For too long, the Government focused only on private homes while our schools — the centre of our communities — were left to fend for themselves through piecemeal emergency works.

"We raised this directly with the Minister and have previously demanded on many occasions that her Department take a coordinated approach to identify, assess and repair affected school buildings. 

"This confirmation, in response to our parliamentary question, is welcome but a strategy to address the issue is long overdue."

Teachta Doherty added: “The Department has now admitted that the presence of defective blocks in school buildings is a serious issue, with 16 schools in Donegal already applying for funding for testing or remediation.

"We welcome the fact that officials will now visit affected schools and that a national strategy will be developed, but I am yet to be convinced that government will treat this matter with the urgency required. This issue needs to be addressed with the Department visiting schools in the coming days rather than months. 

"Any strategy must also include addressing such buildings as community centres and childcare facilities, of which there are also many affected by defective blocks across Donegal.

"Children and staff should not have to be in these buildings a moment longer than is necessary. They deserve safe, secure buildings and for work to begin immediately."