Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 19 June 2012
436 Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the number of schools and other public buildings that are known to be affected by pyrite; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29107/12]
View answer437 Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the number of households in total in the State affected by pyrite according to the research undertaken by his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29108/12]
View answer465 Deputy Dominic Hannigan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government when he expects the pyrite panel report to be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29489/12]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 436, 437 and 465 together.
My Department has no function in relation to the problem of pyrite in school buildings. However, my Department understands that, as a preventative measure, the Department of Education and Skills carried out a risk assessment in the greater Dublin area last year to see if any schools are affected by problems with pyrite. Of the schools examined, three were identified as showing signs of pyrite damage and that Department is working closely with the three schools involved to deal with the issues.
My Department has a limited remit for public buildings and has no knowledge of problems of pyrite in such buildings. I understand that the independent Pyrite Panel, which I set up in September 2011 and which is due to submit its report to me in the next few weeks, has undertaken some analysis of the extent of the pyrite problem in private housing. As previously indicated, I intend to publish the report as quickly as possible after receiving and reviewing it.
