Kildare TD says all schools in the county have re-opened after Mid-Term Break amidst concerns over structural issues

Kildare South TD and Chairman of the Fine Gael Parliamentary Party, Martin Heydon, has received an update from the Minster for Education with regard to the Kildare schools affected by the ongoing structural surveys.

Deputy Heydon said that he also received an update on the announcement of a review of second level places in Kildare South and the news that Kildare County Council has given the go-ahead for St. Conleth’s extension to open this week.

Deputy Heydon said “Kildare County Council last week approved all stages of the building control regulations for the 500 space extension of St. Conleth’s Post Primary in Newbridge. Not only can that significant extension now be used from Monday, it means the 6 children with moderate learning difficulties, who have been without a school place since September, will now be able to commence school in their new special unit in St. Conleths from Monday. Much needed good news for all of the parents and students affected. The ongoing review of second level future demand in Kildare South, which was due to be announced by the end of October, has now been extended to later in November on account of the significant workload on officials in the building unit of the Department in recent weeks."

According to Deputy Heydon, the  Athy schools of Scoil Phádraig Naofa, Gaelscoil Átha í and Athy Model School, which have undergone a programme of structural assessments following construction work by Western Building Systems (WBS) have been determined by engineers for the Department of Education and Skills are able to open in full this Monday once external intervention in the form of a fence around the building and protective decking is constructed.

It is understood that these external works are set to commence this week.

Deputy Heydon said:“In regard to Gaelscoil Átha í and Athy Model School the works only need to be carried out to the external of the General Purpose Hall extensions. The Department of Education have confirmed that Kildare town’s Gaelscoil Mhic Aodha requires no intervention following its structural survey. No works will need to be carried out on internal or external walls and the school has opened as normal this Monday.”