A Co Kildare school can't enroll any more students with building plans at a standstill due to drainage problems.
Concerns were voiced in the Dáil today that there are 'significant capacity issues' with no space for further enrollments at St Paul's in Monasterevin.
It is understood that the proposed new school will cater for 800 pupils. However, there are issues with drainage that is delaying the go-ahead for construction.
Sinn Féin TD for South Kildare/ Laois, Brian Stanley said: "It was to go to construction this year. The problem with the project relates to drainage. I have spoken to senior staff in the local authority about this matter on a number of occasions. I have also spoken to officials in the Department about it. I wrote to the Minister about it. The issue needs to be resolved. Kildare County Council has assured me on a number of occasions that it will provide every assistance to the Minister's officials but it needs active engagement from them in order to move matters forward. As already stated, the problem relates to drainage. Basically, a way needs to be found to drain the surface water adjacent to the school building to the River Barrow via lands that are not owned by the Department of Education and Skills and I must point out that there is a way leave arrangement in place that falls under the control of the local authority."
Labour TD Joan Burton outlined how she visited the school while serving as Tánaiste with former Deputy Jack Wall and former Senator John Whelan.
Deputy Burton is calling for a list of all schools that are included in the 2016- 2021 capital programme. She is calling for the 'finalisation' of land acquisition after decades waiting for a new school in Monasterevin.
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