An email seen by Kfm News stated that the "fire alarm system currently in place in the school is not compliant and poses a risk to life in the event of a fire. As a result, the school cannot remain open until this issue is resolved."
A primary school in Clane is set to close from Monday, January 12, after fire safety concerns were raised over a non-compliant alarm system.
Hewetson National School in Millicent informed parents that it must shut following guidance from the Fire Safety Officer.
A new fire alarm system is ready to be installed, but, according to the school, the work cannot proceed without Department of Education funding approval under the Emergency Works Grant scheme.
The application has been pursued since last November, but funding has yet to be sanctioned.
Social Democrats Kildare North TD Aidan Farrelly has called on the Minister for Education to intervene and fast-track the funding to allow the school to reopen.
He said parents have raised concerns about disruption to children’s education and the knock-on impact on families forced to arrange emergency childcare or take time off work.
In an email to parents seen by Kfm News, parents were informed that the closure was recommended "following guidance received from the Fire Safety Officer".
It stated that the "fire alarm system currently in place in the school is not compliant and poses a risk to life in the event of a fire. As a result, the school cannot remain open until this issue is resolved."
It detailed how a company is "ready to install a brand-new, state-of-the-art fire alarm system" but are still "awaiting funding approval from the Department through the Emergency Works Grant process."
"We fully recognise that closing the school will cause significant disruption for pupils and parents. However, the Board of Management’s foremost priority is the safety of our pupils and staff, and this decision has not been taken lightly," the email stated.
It added: "Every pupil will go home today with a work pack to be completed on Monday. I will continue to pursue approval as a matter of urgency and am hopeful that the fire alarm company can install the new system on Monday, if we get the funding, allowing us to return to normal as soon as possible."
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