Joe McHugh (Donegal, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy for raising this matter and giving me an opportunity to update the House on the position with respect to St. Patrick's national school, Diswellstown. I am aware of the pyrite issue in this school and the health and safety issues to which it gives rise. I fully understand and appreciate the concerns of the entire school community and the need to address them as quickly and effectively as possible. The school was constructed by ABM under a design and build contract, under seal, with the Department of Education and Skills as the direct employer. The school was completed in 2006. In July 2007, Fingal County Council became aware that the presence of pyrite had been identified as the source of problems in certain residential dwellings. The then Department of Education and Science, as the owner of the site and building at St. Patrick's national school, Diswellstown Road, Carpenterstown, Dublin 15, had reason to suspect possible ground heave by active pyrites at the school. This was drawn to our attention as a result of emergency remedial works required to free fire doors and address the toppling of fitted furniture, etc. These works were undertaken by the original contractor. In March 2010, the Department engaged a firm of structural engineers, DBFL, which confirmed the presence of pyrites in the building.

The Department has sought legal advice from the Office of the Chief State Solicitor in respect of addressing these issues. Initial plans to remediate in 2014 were suspended on foot of legal advice. As this matter continues to be the subject of legal proceedings, I am not in a position to comment further on the progression of the remediation programme. However, I can say that immediate areas of concern are being remediated on an ongoing basis under the Department's emergency works scheme. The purpose of the emergency works scheme is to address unforeseen emergencies or to provide funding to facilitate inclusion and access for special needs pupils. In that context, the Department has approved emergency funding to address issues caused by the pyrite since 2016. At the same time, the school is making progress with a project under the additional accommodation scheme that involves the construction of two mainstream classrooms. Following a submission from the school indicating the presence of pyrite in the car park, the school authority was given permission to proceed to planning stage to include a car park extension. The school authority was requested to submit further detailed reports from its consultants in respect of the pyrite issues in the car park. The Department has sought clarification on some of the details in these reports. When this information is received, it will be reviewed and officials from the Department will be in contact with the school to make progress with the project.

The Deputy has also asked about the expanding desire for school places in the area. If demographic data indicate that additional provision is required, the delivery of such additional provision depends on the particular circumstances of each case. Depending on the circumstances, it may be provided by using existing unused capacity within a school or schools, by extending the capacity of a school or schools, by providing a new school or schools or by a combination of these approaches. The requirement for new schools will be kept under ongoing review. It will have particular regard to the increased roll-out of housing provision as outlined in Project Ireland 2040. The Department will continue to monitor areas where the accommodation of existing schools may need to be expanded to meet the needs of the local population.

See this speech in context