Tom Hayes (Tipperary South, Fine Gael)

I welcome the opportunity to raise this important issue relating to my locality. The situation to which I wish to refer is no doubt replicated throughout the country. In June of this year, the management of the Christian Brothers high school, Clonmel, noticed a leak in the building that houses the first year and transition year students. The building was erected in 1899 and is now a listed structure. Architects and builders investigated the nature of the leak in June and discovered that the damage to the roof was considerable. In light of the serious nature of the damage and the fact that the building is listed, they recommended that the roof be replaced.

When there is wet weather in Clonmel, the roof leaks. When heavy rain occurs, tiles tend to slide off the roof and there is a danger that they might hit students. Some 156 students, approximately 20% of the population of the school, use the building each day. They are placed in danger when walking through it because the floors are chronically slippy and the stairs are incredibly hazardous. While tiles do not fall from the roof regularly, the danger to first year and transition year students remains.

This urgent situation was brought to the attention of the Department of Education and Science and an application was made for emergency funding. The latter was refused. The authorities at the school are afraid to put students at risk during the winter months in such a negligent manner. Knowing the dangers inherent in this situation, on which the architect briefed them, they are afraid that they would be liable for damages if a child were hurt. The authorities at the school must inform their insurance company of the issue and are afraid that the building may be closed because it is unsafe. There is no doubt that this is an emergency funding situation, particularly when one considers that it would cost €150,000 plus fees to repair the roof.

I hope the Minister will be able to provide reasonably good news in respect of this matter. The provision of a small amount of money to repair the roof at the school could prevent someone being hurt. I visited the school on several occasions. It is an old school and does great work in the heart of Clonmel. I urge the Minister to ensure that it is catered for by the provision of a small amount of capital funding.

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