Vol. 517 No. 2
13 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Finance the number of buildings surveyed and the number in which asbestos was identified following the survey of public buildings by the Office of Public Works to establish the level of asbestos; the steps, if any, being taken to have asbestos removed from all these buildings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9361/00]
To date, approximately 1,000 public buildings, including Government offices, Garda stations, schools, heritage buildings and military establishments, have been surveyed by the Office of Public Works to determine the location, type, form and condition of any asbestos material present and the steps necessary to manage the problem. This early stage of the nationwide survey was concentrated in buildings where, from local staff information, asbestos was known or suspected to exist. Asbestos material of one type or another and in varying quantities was identified in 315 of these buildings. Works necessary to deal with the problem are being carried out on a priority basis. In all cases so far identified works have been completed, are in hand or are in the process of being commissioned.
I am sure the Minister of State is aware of a number of worrying press reports which indicate that many schools appear to have an asbestos problem. He said that approximately one third of the buildings surveyed have been identified as having a problem. How long will it take to deal with the difficulty and how much will it cost?
About 6,000 buildings under the care of the State are involved, including Government offices, Garda stations, schools, heritage buildings and military establishments; that is the scale of the property portfolio. As many qualified experts as we can find have surveyed 1,000 buildings. From the information given to me by my officials, I am satisfied that where problems have been encountered, they have been dealt with quickly. In many cases, the problem was not as bad as anticipated. Schools are a priority. We have consulted local people and dealt with the schools which suspected there was a problem. I do not know which press reports the Deputy referred to but I am certain we are on top of this problem. It is difficult to estimate the overall cost; we have spent about £2 million to date. I provided for another £2.5 million in my Vote this year. We are dealing with the problem as we unroll the programme. We expect the survey to be completed within five years. Where we have been informed of a problem, we have acted immediately.
Will the Minister of State assure us that the problem in schools will be dealt with as quickly as possible and that cost will not be an inhibiting factor?
Schools are a priority. Some of the early indications of this problem arose in schools. All the schools which notified us of a problem have had the required works commissioned, completed or they are under way. There is no question that the Government wants this problem resolved. It is not a question of funding; asbestos is a problem and we are dealing with it as fast as we possibly can. We unrolled a programme and the problem was being dealt with before it was highlighted by the media.
(Written Answers follow Adjournment Debate).
