A lack of climate-proofing has been blamed for the delay in a multi-million euro extension to Errigal College in Letterkenny.
The project, which involves a new 6,600 square metre building, has been put on hold due to downstream flooding risks.
In the meantime, modular classrooms have been put in place to accommodate the growing student numbers.
The school project was raised in the Dáil today as an example of much-needed climate-proofing to protect future infrastructure projects.
Deputy Pringle said: “The increased frequency and intensity of extreme weather events are unfortunately a reality of this country’s present and future. As we have seen in the last few weeks, such events will cause substantial damage and loss to infrastructure, nature and human health. It is essential that we prepare and plan for this.
“Errigal College in Letterkenny requires an extension to double the size of the school in order to help meet the demand for post-primary school places in Letterkenny. However, the extension has been delayed indefinitely due to a risk of downstream flooding. In order to progress with the much-needed extension, the Council, the OPW and the Department of Education need to work together.
“How will this work? This will be an issue that will become more and more prominent in the future and so it’s something that we need to plan for now,” he said.
The deputy raised the issue during questions on policy or legislation.
Deputy Pringle asked: “How will your government ensure that departments, councils and the OPW are able to plan and fund for a timely climate-proofing future for infrastructure projects so that they won’t be delayed indefinitely in the future?”
In her response, Minister Josepha Madigan said that if Deputy Pringle gave her the details, she would discuss it with him afterwards.
