Thomas P. Broughan
Question:19 Mr. Broughan asked the Minister for Education and Science the progress in the elimination of asbestos from school buildings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2746/01]
Written Answers. - Asbestos Elimination.
The programme of asbestos elimination in primary and post-primary schools has progressed well since it began in 1999, taking into consideration that the testing and removal procedures are quite complex and have to be undertaken by specially qualified personnel in accordance with strictly enforced procedures.
In March 1999, my Department requested the Office of Public Works to undertake a pilot survey of 196 schools in the south-east of the country to determine the location, type, form and con dition of any asbestos material present and the steps necessary to manage the problem. The intention of my Department in conducting the sample survey was to obtain information on the likely scale and extent of the presence of asbestos in school buildings. The initial survey was completed in July 1999 by a firm of specialist consultants commissioned by the Office of Public Works. It identified an asbestos presence in some form or another in 59 of the 196 schools surveyed, that is, about 30%.
Although generally speaking the condition of the material was found to be good and posed no immediate health risk, its removal where possible was recommended and a programme of works was commenced immediately with funding made available from my Department.
In December 1999, the initial survey was extended to all schools nationwide, primary and post-primary, and the management authorities and principals of every school were informed of the details of the survey procedures. Following on this phase, a programme of works was undertaken in schools where asbestos was identified. At this stage, approximately 1,500 out of a total of just under 4,000 schools have been tested and remediation works have been carried out in over 200 of these.
Where asbestos requiring removal is detected, either as a result of the survey or otherwise, arrangements are made to undertake the work in accordance with the relevant health and safety legislation by my Department and the Office of Public Works. The entire cost of the programme of detection and removal is being borne by my Department. Total expenditure in 2000 on the asbestos remediation programme in schools was £6.3 million.
The next major phase of the removal programme is currently being prepared and work will take place during the summer when schools are closed. My Department will continue to make available the necessary level of finance to maintain the current rate of progress. Although exact figures will only be available when the programme for 2001 is ready, it is likely that expenditure this year will exceed that for 2000 due to an increase in the number of schools being dealt with.