I raise the issue of St. Patrick’s School in Celbridge. It is closed today because of safety concerns. I raised this a couple of weeks ago and over the past few years. I mentioned it is held together with duct tape. We managed to speak to the Minister, Deputy Naughton, last night, and she said members of the Department are going out to inspect the school today. I asked would she issue us with the safety report and hopefully the school could open again. The parents need to know that for transparency. She told us there is a programme of works to be done. 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 students to the school. Parents were left without childcare for their children today. They have waited almost 19 years for a permanent school building, and they were left with 24-hours notice about getting their children minded today.

I thank Deputy Cronin for raising what is a very serious matter that has caused significant worry and concern and as she rightly says, huge inconvenience for parents before we even get into the educational impact, which is also real. I acknowledge she has raised this in this House before. I will ask the Minister, Deputy Naughton, to come back to Kildare Oireachtas Members including the Deputy, today. I have been told there is a meeting taking place between the school and the Department today. I am also told - the Deputy knows more locally than I do - that significant works have been carried out in the school, remediating flooring, electrical issues, drainage and guttering. The Department believes this should address many of the safety issues. The point I made to Deputy Farrelly is the point I make today. We need one set of facts. We need the Department and the school to agree a way forward. The Department needs to take a hands-on approach in resolving this. The Minister, Deputy Naughton, is doing just that. I will ask her to come back to Deputy Cronin today.