Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 5 May 1993

Vol. 430 No. 3

Written Answers. - Primary Schools' Asbestos Content.

Paul McGrath

Question:

142 Mr. McGrath asked the Minister for Education if her attention has been drawn to the fact that primary schools built some years ago incorporated asbestos panels in their design; if she will confirm that these schools were designed by her Department; if the construction of these schools was supervised by her Department; if her Department has now ordered boards of management to replace these panels; and her views on whether it is fair that small communities are now being levied with relatively large sums because of these decisions of her Department.

Minister for Education (Ms Bhreathnach)

In the late sixties and early seventies, building panels containing asbestos were widely used in the building industry, including school buildings. At that time, primary schools were designed and supervised both by private architects and by architects of the Office of Public Works, which had responsibilities at that stage in relation to the national school capital programme.

The potential health hazards of asbestos received wide publicity from the late seventies. Since then, my Department has been prepared to respond favourably to applications from school managements for capital grants towards the cost of replacement. The standard rate of grant would apply, i.e. 85 per cent of the cost for schools in general but 95 per cent for schools in disadvantaged areas.

My Department is advised that this potential hazard is related to disturbed or fractured panels. Boards of management have not been ordered to replace all such panels nor is it considered necessary to do so.