Tom Hayes (Tipperary South, Fine Gael)

I thank the Ceann Comhairle for selecting this important matter, relating to a national school in Emly, County Tipperary, which was given a grant of €100,000 for the construction of an additional classroom. The site is classified as a protected structure and, as a result, it must comply with a number of local and national planning regulations before planning permission will be granted. The office of the Minister is aware of the finer details of the case but, for the sake of the House, I will list some of the difficulties that arose when the school submitted its planning application. Some of the restrictions placed on the school mean it must extend the existing roof to mirror the far side of the building, despite the fact this is not structurally necessary. The school has been forced to clad the entire extension in expensive stone and limestone, in keeping with the pre-1960s structure. The school has been forced to install cast-iron rainwater gullies to match those of existing buildings. All of these requirements have affected the cost and size of the proposed extension outside the control of the board of management. That means it has not been possible for the school to deliver the required classroom within the budget allocated by the Department. In one of the most recent items of correspondence from the Department, officials in the planning and building unit are satisfied the grant approved is sufficient to provide the approved level of accommodation. I am curious to see if the estimates include the additional costs associated with the extra planning restrictions.

Under the initial application, it is my understanding that the school changed the scope of the work for which funding had been improved. However, the school and the engineers in question have made a number of compromises in recent months in an attempt to reduce the costs involved. They are still some way from the delivery of the project on budget. I understand funds for projects such as this are limited but I am adamant that Emly national school stands alone in making this case. I understand what the planning authorities are trying to do but more money is needed. Some compromise could be made with the board of management and it is extremely unfair that the Department does not extend a one-off provision in respect of the school.

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