Westport Gaelscoil shut early over health and safety concerns
June 27, 2016
SUMMER holidays came almost a week early for pupils at Westport’s Gaelscoil na Cruaiche this week when the Board of Management and principal took the decision to shut the building early on health and safety grounds.
In recent months there has been increasing concern over the structural integrity of the roof of the building, due to signs that it had been compromised. An engineer’s report this week stated that the building is not fit for purpose. This report was acted on immediately, and the school has been shut from today, Friday, June 24, until further notice.
The Department of Education, which was aware of the issues since they arose, has been informed of the decision to close the school. It is now hoped that the essential repair works can be carried out over the summer months.
Minister of State Michael Ring has been speaking to officials in Education Minister Richard Bruton’s Department. The entire school community at Gaelscoil na Cruaiche backs the decision taken to shut the building, with the health and safety of children and staff being of the utmost importance.
There are several issues with the roof, and a problem with the sewer system also. The cost of remedying the issues is not known. Nor is it known whether the Department of Education will fund the works or seek to have them addressed by the contractors who worked on the build project at Gaelscoil na Cruaiche.
However, if the work has not been completed by September it will create a real headache for pupils, teachers, parents and all involved at the progressive Westport school.
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