Christopher O'Sullivan
Cork South-West · Fianna Fáil · Ireland
“The aim of the hierarchy of the plan-making, as set out in the Act of 2024, is to improve scope for the various tiers of the planning system to more closely relate to one another, therefore providing greater clarity and consistency for all involved, from individual citizens and residents' groups to landowners and developers and ultimately…”
“My understanding is that a ten-year modernisation programme has already been undertaken by the Courts Service and significant progress has been made in improving the availability and use of court data.”
“Under the Act of 2024, the national planning framework continues to spearhead and explicate the planning agenda and sits at the pinnacle of the plan-led system and structure, whereby all tiers of planning from regional to local align with strategic objectives set out in the national planning framework.”
“The Senator has suggested that such plans would identify strategic development priorities, including settlement hierarchy, infrastructure corridors, climate adaptation measures and areas for regeneration; set out indicative phasing for major infrastructure and public investment; include spatial mapping of long-term development objectives;…”
“The Bill also facilitates the completion of the work of the Valuation Tribunal and the facility for the local authority to issue the levy demand and, where necessary, for An Coimisiún Pleanála to deal with any appeals to the demand that may arise in those existing cases currently with the tribunal.”
“As the system of plan-making in the State has just been revised and is being implemented for the first time, the introduction of another layer of plan-making could undermine the new hierarchy that was carefully arranged and agreed following extensive engagement with a range of stakeholders, including the Office of the Attorney General, an…”
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“These amendments would be brought before the House in due course for discussion with Members. It it is for this reason the Government is putting forward the timed amendment which I moved earlier. This will allow the Minister, Deputy O'Callaghan, to consider and bring forward provisions relating to counselling records. As I have already outlined, these provisions will ensure that counselling notes are only used in criminal trials where this is absolutely necessary. This will balance the right of the victim to privacy with the right of the accused to a fair trial. It is a difficult but necessary balancing of rights, which we are called upon as legislators to undertake. I did not do so earlier, and I want to acknowledge those in the Gallery who are sitting above me. They include counsellors, professionals and survivors.”
“Criminal trials are difficult for victims, and the use of their personal counselling notes in such trials can be extremely distressing. This Government is determined to create a victim-centred justice system where survivors can feel safe and supported throughout the process. However, a blanket ban on the use of counselling notes is not the solution. Banning the disclosure of counselling records entirely would mean challenges to convictions. Convictions would be overturned if the courts were to find the accused's right to a fair trial had been compromised. The Attorney General has advised that the proposal is unlikely to survive constitutional challenge. All of this would undermine the interests of the victims. It is for this reason the Minister, Deputy O'Callaghan, intends to press forward with targeted amendments to section 19A.”
“I thank Deputy Coppinger once again for raising this important issue and all Members of the House who contributed to the discussion. I assure Deputies that I have listened very carefully to their contributions and will convey their views to the Minister, Deputy O'Callaghan. Violence against women is an epidemic in our society. We are all aware of the chilling statistics. One in every two women has experienced sexual violence, according to the 2022 sexual violence study by the CSO. These crimes are pervasive and under-reported and demand a societal response. I empathise with the aims of the Private Members' Bill. Those who seek counselling after a sexual violation are seeking healing and a safe space to recover from their trauma.”
“A zero-tolerance approach to DSGBV means addressing not just the violence itself, but the conditions that enable it. However, the work is far from over. We will not stop until every survivor has the safety, support, and justice they deserve. I reiterate to Deputy Coppinger that there is broad agreement on what her Bill is trying to achieve. The Minister has received legal advice that this Bill would not withstand a constitutional challenge. That is something the Minister has to take seriously. He is working on a method and solution to address this serious and worthy issue.”
“Engaging men and boys is also crucial. We are working to challenge harmful gender stereotypes and promote positive models of masculinity to help break cycles of violence. We have made important strides in raising awareness. The responsibility for leading this work has moved to Cuan, who are at the forefront of these efforts. Their "Hardest Stories" campaign was recently launched, a powerful initiative breaking the silence around DSGBV and ensuring survivors feel heard, valued, and believed. Moving forward, we will continue to support these campaigns and ensure our work aligns with the Government’s broader priorities. We are fully committed to implementing practical, effective solutions that provide real protection and support for those who need it most.”
“We are working with An Garda Síochána to ensure that individuals can be informed of serious risks if their new partner has a history of domestic violence. This is about protecting individuals from harm, a matter that requires a careful, comprehensive legal approach to balance privacy with protection. We are dedicated to working with all relevant stakeholders to develop practical and effective solutions. While responding to violence is essential, prevention is equally critical. We must build a society based on respect, equality, and mutual understanding, starting with education. We are introducing new, age-appropriate educational programmes in schools focused on respect, consent, and healthy relationships. Young people must understand acceptable behaviour and feel empowered to challenge harmful attitudes.”
“The Government has also increased funding for Cuan to almost €67 million, strengthening the resources needed to implement the zero tolerance strategy effectively. We recognise that DSGBV has a profound impact on children. That is why the Cabinet has approved legislation that will remove guardianship rights from those convicted of killing their partner or the other parent of their child. This should not be treated as a private legal dispute, it is a child protection issue that belongs firmly in the realm of public law. This legislation delivers on the programme for Government commitment to review guardianship rights in such cases and aligns with key recommendations from the study on familicide and domestic and family violence death reviews. Our work to protect survivors does not stop here.”
“One of our key priorities is guaranteeing safe refuge and accommodation in every region of the country. The zero tolerance strategy commits to doubling the number of refuge spaces by the end of 2026. No one should ever feel they have nowhere to turn. Survivors deserve safe, supportive environments where they can rebuild their lives. Cuan, the statutory DSGBV agency, is working closely with front-line service providers, local authorities, the Department of housing, and the Housing Agency to accelerate the delivery of domestic violence refuges. We are investing in services to ensure that survivors can access the help they need, when and where they need it. Under budget 2025, funding to tackle DSGBV has increased to €70 million. Since 2020, funding for these services has tripled.”
“I would like to conclude by reiterating this Government’s commitment to protecting vulnerable victims and to assure the Deputies of our dedication to this objective. Combatting domestic, sexual, and gender-based violence is a core priority for this Government. At the heart of our efforts is the zero tolerance strategy, a comprehensive plan to shift societal attitudes, strengthen protections, and ensure survivors receive the justice and support they deserve. The Government is fully committed to implementing this strategy for 2022 to 2026, with a new national strategy set for 2027 to 2030. Zero tolerance means no form of abuse - physical, emotional, sexual, or coercive - will ever be ignored, excused, or accepted. It is about real change, not just in our laws but in our attitudes, institutions, and communities.”
“It would mean that if a person accused of an offence wanted access to counselling notes there would have to be a hearing in advance of the trial to determine whether he or she was entitled to them. The judge would have to look at them. There would not be an opportunity for a complainant to say that he or she would waive their right to object. A judge would also only say that the notes had to be disclosed to an accused in circumstances where the judge thought a fair trial would not be possible if they were not disclosed. This approach is a targeted recalibration of the existing legislation, enhancing protections for victims while protecting the accused’s constitutional right to a fair trial.”
“As the Deputies will be aware, the Minister, Deputy O'Callaghan, recently secured Government approval for the drafting of the general scheme of the criminal law and civil law (miscellaneous provisions) Bill 2025. The general scheme includes measures to amend section 19A by requiring that a disclosure hearing take place in all cases, removing the provision that allows for this to be waived. This will ensure that the original intention of the legislation will apply, mandating the court to assess the relevance of any counselling record through a judicial process. Consideration is also being given to further strengthening section 19A by amending it to provide that disclosure of counselling records shall only be made where there would otherwise be a real risk of an unfair trial. The effect of these changes would be very beneficial.”
“The prosecution requires undertakings from the defence as to how the records will be held and used. For example, the records may not be occupied or distributed to any anybody else, they may be consulted only in certain settings and they must all be returned to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions. Regrettably, it appears that section 19A has not operated in practice as intended. Victims have felt compelled to agree to waive the disclosure hearing in order not to put a successful prosecution at risk or risk delaying their trials, and their records are routinely being released. This is not good enough and we are taking steps to address it.”
“The victim is legally represented at this disclosure hearing and, under the law, is entitled to have a solicitor or barrister, engaged by the Legal Aid Board, to act on the victim's behalf. Even where a court orders disclosure, it may impose any condition it considers necessary in the interest of justice and to protect the privacy of any person. These include a condition that part of the record be redacted; that the record not be disclosed to any other person without leave of the court; that no copies be made of it; that the record be viewed only at the offices of the court; that the record be returned to the holder; and that it be used solely for the purposes of the criminal proceedings. Similarly, if a victim does not object to the disclosure of counselling records, the disclosure is still made under strict conditions.”
“I reassure the Deputy that the Government intends to address the serious issues raised in the House. For this reason, we are tabling a timed amendment to this Private Members' business. The law in this area was substantially reformed in 2017 by the insertion of section 19A into the Criminal Evidence Act 1992, which was drafted with the intention of ensuring an appropriate balance between an accused person's rights to a fair trial and a complainant's rights to privacy. Section 19A permits an accused person to make an application to the court for the disclosure of counselling records but it also allows the victim to object to the disclosure of those counselling records. If a victim objects to the disclosure, the judge will examine the counselling records and decide whether there is relevant information to be disclosed to the defence.”
“The Attorney General’s office points out that the constitutional right to trial in due course of law entails a duty upon the prosecution authorities to ensure that appropriate disclosure takes place of matters that may help the defence or damage the prosecution in any criminal prosecution, meaning that appropriate disclosure is a bedrock of a procedurally fair and just process of prosecution. The Attorney General’s office advises that this Bill creates an absolute carve-out for counselling records, which almost inevitably breaches Article 38.1. Elevating the rights of a victim of an alleged sexual offence in this way inevitably comes at the cost of defence rights and trial in due course of law. In the event of such a challenge, it appears highly probable that this proposed amendment would result in a finding of constitutional invalidity.”
“It is our duty to ensure that these constitutional rights are appropriately balanced. This Bill, in its current form, seeks to prohibit the disclosure of counselling records in criminal proceedings. However, in the criminal domain, the prosecution has a general duty of advanced disclosure that is based on the common law, Article 38.1 of the Constitution, Article 47 of the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union and Article 6 of the European Convention on Human Rights. It is essential for the purpose of a fair trial that the prosecution disclose all relevant material within its possession, power or procurement to the defence. A blanket ban on the disclosure of counselling records is not compatible with the Constitution and is unlikely to withstand a constitutional challenge, as I have already pointed out.”
“A relevant offence comprises sexual offences, coercive control offences and offences involving the physical, emotional, sexual or mental abuse of one person by another within a close, intimate or family relationship. The Minister, Deputy O’Callaghan, and I are fully aware of the distress and revictimisation that disclosure of personal records, including counselling records, can have on survivors of sexual violence. One of the most difficult things that this House has to do is to resolve issues around conflicting constitutional rights. The disclosure of counselling records is a complex and highly sensitive balancing of individuals' rights. On the one hand, there is the victim’s right to personal privacy and, on the other, the accused person’s right to a fair trial.”
“It is something that he is already working on in terms of trying to find a method or solution to ensure that victims do not experience that trauma, as the Deputy has rightly pointed out. The Criminal Law (Prohibition of the Disclosure of Counselling Records) Bill 2025 aims to delete subsection 19A of the Criminal Evidence Act 1992 and replace it with measures providing that the content of counselling records shall not be disclosed in criminal proceedings for a relevant offence; a competent person shall not disclose counselling records in criminal proceedings for a relevant offence; neither the existing nor content of counselling records shall be requested for disclosure in criminal proceedings for a relevant offence.”
“She has pointed out the distress, anxiety and severe trauma that has caused to women in particular who have experienced gender-based violence. I commend her on that and on raising the issue, bringing it before the Dáil and ensuring it is discussed. The reason we are taking this decision is based on the advice that the Bill, as it stands, is unlikely to withstand a constitutional challenge. When a Minister is given that advice, he or she has to act on it and be guided by it. That is why we are going with the 12-month amendment. We do not want a situation where, unintentionally, we cause the balance to come down on the side of the accused. I certainly do not believe that would be an appropriate measure. I will set out the approach that the Minister, Deputy O'Callaghan, is taking. He is taking the matter seriously.”
“I move amendment No. 1: To delete all words after "That" and substitute the following: "Dáil Éireann resolves that the Criminal Law (Prohibition of the Disclosure of Counselling Records) Bill 2025, be deemed to be read a second time this day twelve months, to allow for consideration by the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration to consider and bring forward provisions relating to Counselling Records.". I know Deputy Coppinger is disappointed that this is the approach the Government has taken. I will explain the rationale behind it because she has set out eloquently and represented the voices of victims and professionals in terms of the difficulties that are experienced when it comes to counselling notes and their use in court.”
“I know the Deputy referenced other storms but this was peak in terms of previous experiences from an Irish context. There is some good stuff in the grid reliance plan such as removal of hazards, post-storm inspection of the electricity network, forestry management, replenishment and expansion of stock of materials and spares, and resourcing and innovation measures that will build resilience. However, the Deputy has also brought up some good points such as backup generation, rolling out those hubs that were very effective and these are points I will bring back to the Minister.”
“As Deputy Farrell rightly points out, I was just getting into the relevant section on Storm Éowyn so I will come back to that. As I was saying, the major cause of service outages in the aftermath of Storm Éowyn was the result of cascading impacts mainly emanating from the lack of electricity supply to power the network communication networks. Communication networks themselves suffered more limited direct damage. Loss of power was the key issue to cause loss of communication services in the aftermath of Storm Éowyn. As electronic communication networks and services are, by their very design, reliant on power at every component. The ESB Networks 2025 plan sets out the preparation for winter 2025 in the event of another storm such as Éowyn. Storm Éowyn did stand out on its own.”
“The major cause of service outages in the aftermath of Storm Éowyn was the result of cascading impacts mainly emanating from the lack of electricity. I have a further response and will come back in.”
“These include the removal of hazards, post-storm inspection of the electricity network, forestry management, replenishment and expansion of stocks of materials and spares, and resourcing and innovation measures that will build resilience in the electricity network for the winter ahead. Ensuring the climate resilience of communication networks in the immediate term and in preparation for longer-term climate changes is a complex task which will require targeted investment. However, given the liberalised and privatised nature of the communication sector across both fixed and mobile networks, it is primarily for network operators to make the necessary investment to improve their networks’ resilience. Storm Éowyn has drawn attention to the current readiness of networks to withstand severe weather events.”
“ESB Networks will also be part of a mutual association called NEWSAC, the North, East, West, South Area Consortium, which is composed of the electricity companies in Ireland and the UK. These companies provide mutual aid to support each other in the aftermath of storms. On 5 February, Cabinet requested that ESB Networks develop an Enhanced Winter 2025 Grid Resilience Plan as a key measure to be implemented in the lead up to winter 2025. The plan is to enhance the resilience of the grid in the most vulnerable locations for the upcoming winter. The ESB Networks Winter 2025 Grid Resilience Plan sets out actions across several key areas.”
“The large-scale investment sought as part of PR6 will assist Ireland in maintaining a reliable and resilient electricity network to meet the needs of customers and society. This investment will deliver additional network capacity at all voltage levels, as well as allowing for significant investment in asset maintenance and replacement and measures to improve continuity of supply. Government supports all efforts to maximise the level of grid investment in 2026 to 2030 as part of the PR6 review and any further support sought through the NDP will be actively considered. To deal with the disruptive events of storms and long-term impacts of climate change, as part of Price Review 6, ESB Networks is planning to implement a strategic approach to asset management to ensure that the investments are future-proofed and resilient.”
“Accelerating delivery of that investment is a priority for this Government and we have a working group under the accelerating renewable electricity task force tasked with doing just that. Regarding planned grid investment from 2026 to 2030, work has commenced on Price Review 6 which will see the CRU sanction the investment in the grid to 2030. A public consultation is expected from CRU by the end of June on its proposals under PR6. This will see major investment in the onshore electricity grid and represents a step change in grid development and investment, a process which will see further progressive scaling during the 2030s to meet future targets. These investments will start to deliver the building blocks on which we will expand our onshore grid out to 2050.”
“The core focus of the review will be to ensure that supporting economic infrastructure can be prioritised to support the delivery of 300,000 additional homes and to boost our competitiveness. I now move on to grid investment. Electricity is vital in daily life and customers need a dependable network to meet current and future needs. This is why investing in the network is key, investing for today and for the future. The Commission for Regulation of Utilities, CRU, as an independent regulator, sanctions investment in the onshore electricity grid in five year cycles. More than €4 billion investment in the onshore electricity grid was approved for 2021 to 2025.”
“The Deputy raised some specifics regarding the generator, phone outages, etc. I will endeavour to get the Department to come back to her on those points. The written response I have is quite lengthy. I hope it will set out the plan and answer the Deputy's questions. I hope she has time to get to it. With regard to the national development plan, in early April the Government agreed to commence the review process. Following this, my Department wrote to Departments to advise on the Government's approach to improving our infrastructure through the review. As outlined in the programme for Government, energy is a critical priority for investment, alongside housing, water, transport and health digitalisation.”
“In my previous response I made the point that the NCSE reports that over half of these mild general learning disability special schools have since diversified. Diversification is the key word. It is about ensuring that these schools that previously only catered for children with mild general learning disabilities will now cater for more. That is key. Deputy Whitmore mentioned the level of consultation. The Minister of State, Deputy Moynihan, is in the office next to me. He has spent a lot of time and is dedicated to consulting with the special schools but consulting with parents as well, which is really important. That is something that has happened. I am very sure I can stand over that statement with a fair degree of confidence. I totally accept the points raised and I will relate what was said here back to the Minister of State.”
“The establishment of mild general learning disability, MGLD, special schools predated the significant expansion in the range of supports offered in mainstream schools through additional special education, teaching and special needs assistant resources, and through the rapid expansion in special class provision. There are now over 28,000 children being supported in special schools and classes, with the number of special classes increasing by 103% since 2020. Examining the designation of special schools is not about limiting the options of any child; it is about creating options and ensuring that children with more complex needs are afforded the opportunity to attend their school with other local children. This means there will be a variety of different needs accommodated in the school, not just children with one particular need.”
“I thank the Deputy for raising the question and for giving me the opportunity to reassure the House that the Department of Education and Youth and the NCSE are committed to ensuring all children can access an education suitable to their needs. The Department of Education and Youth continues to engage intensely with the NCSE on forward planning for new special provision to ensure every child has a place in an educational setting best fitted for their educational need. It is not a one-size-fits-all approach. Where a special school is deemed more appropriate, the options are being kept open in that regard.”
“We all know of cases of children with mild learning disabilities who, you would think, might be more appropriately educated in a mainstream school, but it just does not fit. We have seen where they have excelled and done much better when they attend the special schools. I take that point. I do not think that is the intention of what is being done here. The intention is to cater for those children with more severe learning disabilities, stopping them from having to pass their local school and go further afield because their existing special school is at full capacity. That is the intention here. This is being rolled out on a phased basis and there is a lot of work to be done.”
“The NCSE reports that over half of these mild general learning disability special schools have since diversified, which means children with more complex needs can enrol in their local special school. A lot of work has been done by these schools to broaden their designation and the Department of Education and Youth will continue to support schools in this endeavour so that more special schools can better support children with complex needs in their local community. Of the 129 special schools nationwide, approximately 30 were originally designated as schools for children with mild general learning disabilities. One of these is in County Wicklow and has just over 100 students enrolled. I take the Deputy's point. It is not a one-size-fits-all.”
“There are situations currently arising where children with additional needs travel past special schools in their locality to attend a special school further away. This is not fair on the children or their families. It is down to the fact children cannot apply for admission to their local special school simply because they do not meet the narrow designation of that special school. It is important to state that there is no strict timeline on redesignation being pursued. As indicated in Circular 0039/2025 published in recent weeks, the Department and the NCSE intend to commence work in this area in the coming school year. Any change to designation will proceed on a gradual phased basis and schools will be supported with training, supports and guidance by the NCSE. This is not a new departure.”
“Five new special schools are being established in addition to the 11 new special schools opened over the last few years. Special school capacity is also being expanded across a number of special schools. Along with providing additional special school capacity, the Department of Education and Youth and the National Council for Special Education, NCSE, consider that it is necessary to look at the profile of existing special schools. It is important to state that it is not the intention to exclude children who require a special school place from accessing certain special school settings, but instead to work to ensure children with complex educational needs can apply to their local special school.”
“I thank the Deputy. Her description of the special school in Bray mirrors my experience of visiting special schools in Cork and elsewhere. I have seen the improvements in these children's education, ability to cope and mental health. What they are able to do is incredible, especially when they have access to additional therapies. That is another part of what we are trying to do. I take that point but my understanding is the intention of the redesignation is not to narrow the scope but to broaden it in terms of who can be catered for in the schools. I will explain more in this response. The Government is committed to the provision of additional special school places for children with more complex educational needs. Over 300 new special school places are being provided for the 2025-26 school year.”
“I would absolutely say the Deputy should build a case and bring it to him in terms of the numbers and demand that would be there for such a service. I thank the Deputy again for bringing this to the House.”
“I spoke in jest about the Minister of State, Deputy Moynihan, taking on the brief of school transport. He is very experienced in this. He has been around the block, was a backbencher for a while and battled in similar situations to the one the Deputy has presented. He understands the need for that but there are parameters and guidelines he has to work within. The requirement is for ten eligible students. One could present a case for 100 concessionary students. It is about whether that would suffice for establishing a new route. That will have to be worked out. Because it is an interim solution and many students will eventually go to the newly built school in Kildare, perhaps that is an angle that could be worked on. It is for the Minister of State, Deputy Moynihan, and his Department to assess it.”
“If there needs to be a workaround or some type of interim solution, he will at least discuss this with the Deputy and work with the Department on it. I have set out the requirements for establishing new school bus routes.”
“Tickets will begin to issue in mid-July and will continue to issue during July and August. Families who are unsuccessful in obtaining a seat will be notified via email and a refund will issue. Payments or medical card details submitted after the deadline date will be deemed to be late. A late submission of payment or medical card details may mean that a seat is not available. There is a job of work in terms of the Department assessing the levels of interest and applications that have come in. There is the specification requirement of ten eligible students to establish a route. I take the Deputy's point regarding this specific case in the Kildare town and the Curragh. It is great for Kildare town that the new Curragh school will be built there. Perhaps a solution should be considered in the interim. The Minister of State's door is open.”
“As the Deputy may be aware, a minimum of ten eligible children residing in a distinct locality, as determined by Bus Éireann, who have applied and paid or entered their medical card details, are required, before consideration may be given to the establishment or retention of school transport services, provided this can be done within reasonable cost limits. The Bus Éireann family portal has now closed for applications and payments. Bus Éireann will now assess all applications and payments received and plan for routes and services for the 2025-2026 school year. Routes may be altered or extended depending on the number and location of eligible children who will be availing of school transport for the following school year. Once routes have been finalised, Bus Éireann will assign tickets for each school transport service.”
“In cases where families have applied to attend their nearest schools with regard to ethos and language, and have been advised by the school authorities that these schools are full, the Department will consider if the pupil is eligible for the next nearest school. While the closest schools may be full to capacity at present, each family must supply evidence that an application for enrolment was made within the deadline specified by the schools and a letter from each of the school authorities confirming that the school was full. This information should be submitted to the school transport section of the Department of Education and Youth for consideration. Contact details for the section can be found on the Department’s website.”
“I am responding on behalf of the Minister of State, Deputy Michael Moynihan, who has the privilege of taking over the issue of school transport, which he is absolutely delighted about. He is very reasonable and I know that he will give this consideration. On the Minister of State's behalf, I welcome the opportunity to respond on this matter. The school transport scheme is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department of Education and Youth. Bus Éireann has advised that children residing in Kildare town are not eligible for the Curragh Community College as they are not attending their nearest post-primary school centre. They further advise that there is no existing service from Kildare town to this school.”
“I will press it with the Minister. I am hopeful for the Deputy and the students and parents that we will get a positive outcome on this. I will stress the urgency of it and I will come back to the Deputy as soon as I have any feedback.”
“Yes, I will press this. There is also an opportunity for schools to apply for the climate action summer works scheme, although perhaps it does not apply to Coolmine. The emergency works scheme is obviously the right one. I take the Deputy's point about buckets. All we have to do is look at the number of buckets that are gathering water at the moment to discover that there are leaks there. The leak detection test may highlight the exact seriousness of the problem and how much work is involved. It is not good enough in this day and age. There has been record investment in education on the capital side. New schools are being built and additional classrooms provided. There is a lot of construction work going on across the board. The fact that a school that educates more than 1,000 pupils is in this condition is very hard to stand over.”
“I understand the urgency of a decision, especially when the leaving certificate is going on. I suppose the Deputy wants some type of affirmation that at least by the time we go back to school in September there will not be that level of leakage. I will stress the urgency of that to the Minister.”
“The scheme will operate on a multi-annual basis for a number of categories, which could include the provision or upgrade of roofs. The new scheme opened for applications in early May 2025 and all applications must be received by this Department by 5.30 p.m. on 30 June 2025, when the applications window will close. Full details of the new scheme, including the circular and guidance documents for schools, can be found on the Department's website. To come back to the immediacy of the Deputy's question and the urgency of the turnaround of the application that is with the Department, the report in terms of the new leak detection test was received in the past two weeks. That is a short enough window of time. I ask that the Deputy give the Department time to assess that report.”
“On 19 March 2025, the Department Education and Youth conducted a site visit to assess the issues at play. The Department advised the school to obtain a new leak detection test. This report was received by the Department in the past two weeks and is undergoing technical review. Once this review has been completed, the emergency works team will engage with the principal of the school in respect of next steps. As the Deputy may be aware, the Minister recently announced details of the climate action summer works scheme for 2026 onwards. The purpose of this scheme is to devolve funding to individual school authorities to undertake small-scale building works which ideally can be carried out during the summer months or at other times that avoid disrupting the operation of the school.”
“The scheme is intended to remedy an emergency situation and usually provides an interim measure until a permanent solution can be delivered under the summer works scheme, which deals with upgrade works to schools. The original application proposed a scope of works seeking to replace the entire roof, which would be deemed an upgrade and not a minimal scope of works. Owing to the relatively recent installation of the roof in question, the school was advised to revert to the original design team to remedy the situation in the first instance. The original contractor repaired the three original leaks on foot of a leak detection test carried out in 2022. However, the condition of the roof had deteriorated further since the time of that test and water ingress issues persisted, as the Deputy has outlined.”