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Dáil
‹ Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation

Scoil Mhuire school building delay

Summary

Deputy Kenny pressed for progress on a long-delayed new school for Scoil Mhuire, citing split campuses, overcrowding, leaks and asbestos. The Taoiseach said he would raise the matter with the Education Minister and ask for a direct reply.

I wish to raise with the Taoiseach an issue in my constituency with regard to Scoil Mhuire primary school in Carrick-on-Shannon. The board of management has been ten years looking to get a new school built. The school is split into two campuses. More than 500 children, many of them from various countries, attend the school. The Department of Education compiled a technical report in August 2021 which indicated that many of the classrooms were less than half the size they are required to be. There are also issues with roof leaks and asbestos. There are major problems. Also, the location of the school on the Dublin Road is totally inappropriate. They are looking for a new school campus to be built. The authorities at the school have engaged with the Minister for Education. She promised them over a year and a half ago to come back to them and to meet them. That has not happened. There has been very little contact with or movement on the part of the planning and building unit in the Department of Education. The local authority is working with them to try to identify a site, but they really need engagement from the planning and building unit to work to provide this new school. The situation has become urgent at this point.

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Leo Varadkar The Taoiseach Fine Gael

I thank the Deputy for raising the important issue of Scoil Mhuire. I do not have an up-to-date note on the matter, but I will be speaking to the Minister, Deputy Foley, during the week and will make sure she knows he has raised it again. I will ask the Minister to come back to the Deputy directly.

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