" I was shocked at the conditions" - Byrne calls for retrofit funding for Louth school

Louth Sinn Féin TD Joanna Byrne has raised the urgent need for the inclusion of St Josephs CBS in Drogheda in the Pathfinder Programme for retrofit upgrades.

Deputy Byrne said: “I was contacted by the school's climate action officer, a young teacher who has taken on the additional workload of detailing and attempting to deal with a long list of problems caused by the age of the school and the lack of funding to deal with the problems over many years. 

“The school staff have done everything they are required to do, they have had multiple energy audits and a list of required works compiled. The school meets the criteria for the pathfinder programme, without question.

“I went on a tour of the school, which is populated by happy and engaged children who are a credit to the teachers and principal, but I have to admit I was shocked at the conditions. 

“The two oil boilers were only working at 65% efficiency. Work is needed on the building fabric, heating, ventilation and air-conditioning systems and the school needs help to move to renewables as there are no renewable energy systems currently in the school. It is estimated that €1 million would be required to get the school to a building energy rating, BER, of B. It is not a lot of funding for a government that will have a budget surplus.

“The pathfinder programme would deal with many of the issues the school faces and be a real lifeline in bringing it up the standard expected of a 21st century learning and working facility.

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“I did ask for some positive interest from the Minister of State and Minister, Helen McEntee, in considering St Josephs CBS or, at the very least, they give a commitment to engage with the school directly to find a pathway forward. Funding for minor works and emergency works is just not touching the surface of what is required in this school.

Finishing, Deputy Byrne said: “The Junior Minister did state that he had taken on board the points I had raised with him and that he will liaise with the Department on those points. I will follow up with both the Minister and Junior Minister for Education in the weeks ahead, and hope for a comprehensive works programme to be agreed."