Jennifer Murnane O'Connor (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

The issue I raise is the building project at Knockbeg College, a boys' secondary school located approximately three miles from Carlow town and Graiguecullen. Its origins can be traced back to 1793. The school has 30 staff and approximately 420 pupils. In 1991 it was announced that a new school would be built, but 25 years later the project has not started. While I am aware that funding for the project has been provided, having met parents of students at the college, I am calling for the issue to be addressed as a matter of urgency.

I have received a note from a parent in which she paints a picture of the school her two boys attend. It describes an inadequate heating system and very damp walls that are covered in mould and can be seen throughout the school. It states the windows are single glazed, with window frames rotting away and most windows stuffed with paper. Plaster is falling off most of the ceilings and some of the ceilings have fallen down. The note refers to buckets being placed in certain rooms to collect rainwater leaking through the roof. It adds that as a result of these leaks, floors are wet and slippery, making it dangerous for both pupils and staff to walk on them. This has led to many injuries. The sanitary areas are described as being outdated, damp and cold; the locker rooms are a health hazard owing to the wet floors, while rodents have been spotted. In addition, a lack of modern equipment is preventing students from carrying out their scientific experiments. The note describes bannisters on the main stairway as unstable and highly dangerous and refers to extremely cold temperatures in the school throughout the winter months, sometimes not higher than 2° Celsius. This, the note continues, is unfair to both students and staff who have to work and teach in such appalling conditions and the matter needs to be addressed.

I acknowledge that the building project at Knockbeg College has been put out to tender.I realise that. This has been going on for 25 years, but the building is unfit for purpose and is actually unsafe. I ask again today the question which was asked before the funding came through, namely, whether the Minister can give the school some prefabs until the building is up and running. The build is taking place in three stages. As the Minister knows, when a building starts, one is talking a year if not more. This building is unsuitable. It is not right to have students and teachers in conditions like this in schools in 2017. Can the Minister look at providing prefabs in the short term and until the school is built? It is a priority 1 project and the Minister must ensure the funding is provided as soon as possible and that the school is built.

It should be recorded that Knockbeg school is an excellent one with excellent standards. As such, it is sad to see that it has been left for 25 years until it is in such a state of disrepair that it is unfit for purpose. The board of management wants to meet the Minister for Education and Skills next week. As such, I ask now for a pre-meeting. If the Minister of State could come back to me on that, I would really appreciate it. I thank the Minister of State for coming to the House to address this issue for me.