Brendan Ryan (Labour)
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I welcome the Minister of State. I raise the matter of Balbriggan community college in the context of the asbestos management programme. The college was opened in 1984. Up until September last year, it was the only secondary school providing an education for boys in Balbriggan and surrounding areas. It is a co-educational school. Up until then, the only other secondary school in Balbriggan was Loreto, a girls only school. Another secondary school, Ardgillen community college, opened last September, with the intention of catering for 2,000 pupils at full capacity. It had been anticipated that Balbriggan community college would also be upgraded to a 1,000 pupil school and that, together with Ardgillen community college, would meet the future growth needs of Balbriggan. However, following the downturn in the public finances, the expansion of Balbriggan community college was put on hold. It has an enrolment of 590 pupils and a total of 70 teaching and non-teaching staff. In the evenings the school is used by members of the general public who attend a wide range of evening classes.

It has been identified that the roof of the school and of the separate gym building were constructed with asbestos sheeting. Asbestos fibres can be dangerous if inhaled as dust and are known to contribute to an increased risk of lung cancer, asbestosis and mesothelioma — cancer of the lining of the chest and abdominal cavity. As a result, the school has been included in the asbestos management programme of the Department of Education and Science. The Office of Public Works was charged with the task of solving the problem on behalf of the Department. The project to rectify the problem by means of a properly managed roof replacement has been taken to advanced design stage by the OPW.

The roof is leaking in many places and a small section of asbestos sheeting has fallen from the roof of the PE hall. No repairs can be carried out without disturbing the asbestos sheeting. Asbestos can present a low risk if left alone but this is no longer possible because of the leaks in the roof. It is critical that the work be carried out as soon as possible as the leaks cannot be allowed to continue.

There is unconfirmed local speculation that large projects such as that at Balbriggan community college have been taken back from the OPW for the Department to manage. I am not sure if this is the case and ask the Minister of State to confirm if it is. However, there is a lack of information which I am attempting to address by raising the matter tonight. This lack of information is resulting in concern and uncertainty within the school and getting in the way of planning for the future. I ask the Minister for Education and Science to immediately release funding for this project and clearly outline the timeframe for the removal of the asbestos. The problem presents a serious health and safety risk to pupils, staff and members of the general public who use the school out of hours. I look forward to the Minister of State's response.

John Moloney (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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I thank the Senator for raising this matter. I apologise for the absence of the Minister for Education and Science, Deputy Batt O'Keeffe, who cannot be here to respond in person.

I thank the Senator for giving me an opportunity of outlining to the Seanad the Department's position regarding the planned re-roofing of Balbriggan community college. The total capital allocation for the primary and post-primary sectors in 2010 is €578 million. The primary sector allocation is €378 million and the post-primary allocation is €200 million. On 16 February last the Minister announced the 2010 large scale school building programme. Some 52 school projects, 37 primary and 15 post-primary, will advance to tender and construction. Some 51 school building projects, 44 primary and seven post-primary, will appoint design teams later this year. Approval has been given for seven new primary schools to open in rapidly developing areas in September this year. Arising from earlier school building programme announcements, some 30 large scale projects, 23 primary and seven post-primary, are under construction. Some 27 large scale projects, 19 primary and eight post-primary, are due to commence construction during the first half of the year. A further 14 projects, ten primary and four post-primary, are due to go on site as soon as possible.

The allocation for the 2010 summer works scheme will facilitate the completion of over 1,000 small and medium scale building works. Funding will also issue to applicant schools in respect of new water conservation measures. Expenditure on the 2010 summer works scheme and on commitments arising from earlier years will be approximately €110 million. An allocation of €28 million has been set aside for the minor works grant. Capital funding will be available throughout the year for a range of programmes, including the completion of the permanent accommodation and small school schemes, the completion of the energy efficiency scheme, the provision of furniture and equipment, the continuation of the remediation programmes for asbestos, radon and mould, emergency works, miscellaneous items, additional prefabricated and permanent accommodation, and site acquisitions as they arise.

The replacement of the roof in Balbriggan community college, the specific issue referred to by the Senator, has been identified as necessary under the Department's asbestos remediation programme. The college, which has an enrolment of 584 pupils, consists of two buildings — the original 1950s vocational school building and a more substantial building that was built on the same site in the early 1980s. The Office of Public Works administers the schools asbestos remediation programme on behalf of the Department of Education and Science. The Department is in negotiations with the OPW on this project. The entire cost of the programme of detection, removal and reinstatement is borne by the Department. Lengthy and detailed preparation work by consultants is required to bring major projects, such as the roof replacement works of Balbriggan community college, to tender stage. The proposed work entails the removal and replacement of the asbestos roof, gutters and down pipes, with associated works including ceiling replacement and rewiring where necessary. The Department has been in recent contact with the OPW in relation to the progression of this major project.

The Department of Education and Science has made considerable investment in Balbriggan community college. An all-in grant of more than €27,000 was provided in August 2006 for a replacement boiler in the school. Under the summer works schemes, over €23,000 was provided for electrical works. A further grant of more than €1.1 million was provided under the 2007 summer works scheme for extensive works to the school, including enlarging and upgrading classrooms and practical work rooms, renovating toilets and demolishing old stores. The 2009 summer works scheme, which is ongoing in the school, includes renovation of the original 1950s building, including roofing of the courtyard area. The vocational education committee has recently been instructed to proceed to tender for the replacement of the gas boiler and the LPG gas system for the science rooms in the school. The Minister is as keen as the school community to progress the roof replacement as soon as possible.

Brendan Ryan (Labour)
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I thank the Minister of State for his substantial response. Unfortunately, it did not really relate to the specifics of the issue I raised. The Minister of State made some general remarks about what the Department has done about the boiler etc., but he said very little about the question I tabled. That certainly disappoints me. He made reference to this work being "necessary". I am glad that is accepted. He also, "The Department has been in recent contact with the OPW in relation to the progression of this major project." It worries me that so little of the Minister of State's response addressed the matter I raised. I am extremely disappointed. I accept this is not the Minister of State's area of direct responsibility. I ask him to inform the Minister for Education and Science, Deputy Batt O'Keeffe, of my extreme disappointment. The school is waiting for these works to be done. It is trying to plan ahead. While there is some uncertainty, there is also an expectation that something will happen this year. The Minister of State will understand that the general community, the board of management and the principal are trying to plan ahead. They have been given very little information in this disappointing reply. As the Minister of State does not have direct control over this area, I cannot hold him personally responsible for the response. I reiterate that I am extremely disappointed with it.

John Moloney (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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All I can say is that I take the point that much of the response dealt with these issues in a general way. I will try to see if a more specific response can be sent to the Senator in letter form.

Brendan Ryan (Labour)
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I would appreciate that.