Seán Crowe
Question:130 Mr. Crowe asked the Minister for Education and Science his plans in view of the obvious danger of asbestos in schools throughout the State, to prioritise those schools as part of his proposed building programme. [22770/02]
Written Answers. - Schools Building Projects.
A nationwide survey of primary and post-primary schools is being carried out by the Office of Public Works to establish the position relating to asbestos in school buildings. Where asbestos requiring removal is detected, either as a result of the survey or otherwise, arrangements to undertake the work in accordance with the relevant health and safety legislation are made 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 and priority will continue to be given to it within the context of existing resources.
Seán Crowe
Question:131 Mr. Crowe asked the Minister for Education and Science the schools which have asbestos material in their buildings. [22771/02]
Over 2,000 schools out of a total of 4,000 primary and-post primary schools have been tested for the presence of asbestos in a nation-wide survey being carried out by the Office of Public Works on behalf of my Department. Where asbestos requiring removal is detected, either as a result of the survey or otherwise, arrangements to undertake the work in accordance with the relevant health and safety legislation are made 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 and priority will continue to be given to it within the context of existing resources.