THE health of pupils and teachers being housed in temporary buildings at St Oliver Plunkett's National School is being compromised, with increased levels of doctors' visits and illness detected amongst the children affected.

Fine Gael's health spokesperson, Dr James Reilly, said some pupils at the third largest national school in the country had been admitted to hospital with abdominal problems as they won't use the toilets in the portakabins, while another child had contracted pneumonia.

'Portakabins are a poor environment for children who suffer from asthma, bronchitis or compromised immune systems,' Dr Reilly told the Dáil. 'Their health is not being helped by an environment where mould and fungus grow on the walls and ceilings.

'The health and safety of children and teachers are compromised every day and because of tight space and poor ventilation, sickness spreads quickly from one child to another.

'It has also been asserted that children in portakabins have a higher absentee rate than those in proper classrooms.'

Dr Reilly noted the lack of space for hanging coats meant wet clothing was left on the backs of chairs, causing further health problems, further complicated by dust, condensation and draughts, which had lead to an increase in complaints of aches and pains.

'On account of the appalling toilet facilities, many children will not use them, leading to urinary and faecal retention,' the Fine Gael TD continued. ' There have been many admissions to Temple Street Hospital for non-specific abdominal pain and increased attendance at local general practitioners, who say there is a much higher incidence of respiratory tract infections and medical problems among these children. 'One child was admitted to Temple Street Hospital recently with pneumonia. There is poor lighting due to the position of some portakabins and fluorescent lights are on all day all year around and cause headaches and eyestrain for some.'

Dr Reilly said the parents of children at the school had been 'extraordinarily patient' and said some form of action was likely. 'When we had very little in the 1950s, we could afford stone and brick to house and educate our children,' he added. 'I expect there will be serious disruption in the area.

'I must offer them 100% support because their children's welfare is at stake, from the point of view of both health and education.'

- Robin KIELY