Concerns raised over condition of school 

A NORTHSIDE senator has warned that the Government's failure to provide for the construction of a new building at a local school is having a detrimental impact on the education of its pupils. 

However, the Department of Education and Skills has told Northside People a building project for St Mologa’s National School, Balbriggan, is included in its Six-Year Capital Programme (2016-2021).

Senator Lorraine Clifford-Lee (FF) brought her party’s education spokesperson Thomas Byrne to Balbriggan recently to hear concerns over conditions at the school. 

“Years on since the need for essential building works at St Molaga’s was first raised, over half of pupils are being educated in unsuitable and poor standard prefab accommodation,” said Senator Clifford-Lee. 

“This was originally flagged as a temporary solution. 

Almost two decades on, a greater population and a rising demand for the upgrading of the school building and no progress has been made to support the school's growing numbers.

“I felt it was particularly important for Deputy Thomas Byrne to visit the school with me to gain an insight into the poor quality conditions being endured by so many staff and students on a daily basis.

"We were both glad to have the opportunity to meet with school principal Pauline Costello, teachers and parents to hear about further problems that are coming down the track.”

Senator Clifford-Lee said a timeline for the construction of a new school building must be urgently drawn up for development to get underway in the immediate future and “put an end to the detrimental impact being felt by the whole school community in St Molaga's”.

“I raised the matter directly with the Minister for Education Richard Bruton during (a) debate in Seanad Éireann and I will continue to press on the issue in my capacity as senator over the coming weeks,” she added.

In a statement, the Department of Education and Skills said a building project for St Mologa’s National School, Balbriggan, is included in the its Six-Year Capital Programme (2016-2021).

“The project for St Molaga’s National School is primarily to replace existing temporary accommodation with permanent accommodation,” the spokesperson told Northisde People.  

“In that regard the Department is currently preparing the project brief.  This process will include consultation with the relevant stakeholders, which includes the school authorities and the school patron, regarding the extent of the accommodation required to meet the needs of the school.  

“The completion of the project brief will facilitate the project to be progressed into architectural planning, which includes the appointment of a design team.”

The spokesperson added that the Department will be in contact with the school in due course to arrange a site visit. Meanwhile, local senator James Reilly (FG) also raised the urgent issue in the Dail recently. 

“Over half the children and teachers are forced to work and study in prefab buildings,” he said.  

This has been ongoing for 17 years as a ‘temporary measure?”

Senator Reilly and Cllr Tom O’Leary (FG) visited the teachers’ representative Jeanine Leonard and met the school’s Principal Pauline Costello to discuss the matter further.

“Currently there are 240 students in these prefabs,” he said. “They are forced in all weather conditions to leave their classrooms to attend learning support classes, PE classes, choir rehearsals etc.” 

Senator Reilly is calling on Minister Bruton to give a clear timeline as to when this issue will be resolved.