Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy for raising this matter. I know that he raised it earlier on the Order of Business and I can only imagine what a devastating blow it is to the community in Mallow. As he said, it concerns a school with a great and outstanding record and it comes as a great blow to it that it suffered such damage in the fire. I thank him for contacting the Department and assure him that we will take the matter extremely seriously. My officials have since spoken to the school principal about the extent of the damage caused and while it is too early to determine the level of structural damage caused, the principal has advised my Department that the school has made contact with its insurance provider and that an assessor is due to visit the school today. A member of my Department's technical service will also visit the school site today. The Deputy will appreciate that the position is fluid, but the outcome of the assessor's site visit is expected to suggest a way forward. I understand the statutory authorities will also conduct a technical investigation. My Department will work very closely with the school and other interests in the community to make sure we make the very best provision possible for the children who have been impacted on. I undertake to track the issue and report back in due course to the Deputy on how the project is evolving, following the receipt of the technical assessments.

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