Questions over snaglists in school buildings

Concerns have been raised over how post-construction issues are being handled in new school builds, after Fianna Fáil’s Áine Smith questioned whether contractors are being allowed to step away from projects before visible “snags” are fully resolved.

The St Mogue’s College teacher and public representative told fellow Cavan-Monaghan ETB board members she would be forwarding a detailed “list” of outstanding issues identified by staff following the installation of a large modular development at the Bawnboy school.

The project included a significant two-storey detached modular school building and the removal of three single-storey structures.

It also comprised of 10 classrooms, including specialist facilities, along with administrative offices and toilet facilities.

But Cllr Smith questioned what responsibility contractors retain once buildings are handed over, and whether there is sufficient scope to “withhold” final payment until all defects are addressed.

“Different things have gone wrong,” she said, without going into full detail, but raising concerns that contractors may not be returning to rectify issues after the first year.

She added that a number of problems had been “logged” since November 2025, but as yet remained unresolved.

“Or is it just left over to the school and the ETB to manage?” she asked.

St Mogue’s

Her comments were backed by Independent councillor Brendan Fay, who said issues at St Mogue’s had been raised previously, including reports of “windows leaking” and other defects.

“As a board we have to demand that we get jobs finished,” he said, adding that similar concerns had been seen in other modular builds.

Fellow board member Joe McGrath suggested the ETB should consider employing a full-time quantity surveyor to ensure snag lists are properly completed and signed off.

Responding to the concerns, Karen McBride, Director of Organisation Support and Development with Cavan and Monaghan ETB, said she had not yet seen the list referenced but requested it be forwarded to her.

She also noted that design teams appointed to projects are “normally responsible” for signing-off at completion, and are generally tasked then with ensuring that all outstanding works are completed before final closure and handover.