Department confirms St. Patrick's School building is safe as parents voice ongoing concerns
St. Patrick's Primary School will re-open this Monday after its board of management received written confirmation from the Department of Education that the building is safe.
Over 200 people attended a meeting last night which was held at Celbridge GAA when the board’s chair informed attendees.
The school said 40 contractors were on site today carrying out major works on the roof. The work is expected to continue in the coming days and weeks, including during the midterm break and the Easter holidays.
In a letter to the school, the Department of Education said it is satisfied the building is safe to use and should reopen on March 9th.
Kildare’s Chief Fire Officer visited the school yesterday and confirmed it is safe and has a valid fire safety certificate.
However, parents at the meeting voiced concern, frustration and confusion about the condition of the building and the events of recent days.
One parent said the school had been deemed unsafe only a few days ago, but was now considered safe within 72 hours.
Since the announcement, Kfm News has been contacted by several parents citing their continued concerns about the safety of the building.
In a statement issued by the Department of Education to Kfm this morning, it stated:
The Department met with the patron and school authority yesterday.
At the meeting the Department and its Project Manager outlined the scale of works already done in January and February to address the most immediate issues and the workplan regarding remaining works over the next few weeks for which a contractor is on site undertaking works.
The Department also discussed with the school the importance of having a good maintenance regime in place given that significant water ingress issues arose due to blocked gutters, blocked drains and an underfloor water leak from the heating system – all of which are now addressed.
The Department reassured the school that the school building is safe to use and that the school should re-open as normal on Monday morning (9 March).
The Department notes and welcomes the decision of the Board of Management yesterday evening to reopen the school as normal on Monday morning.
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