Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 25 February 2014
264. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he is satisfied that there is no risk to the health of pupils and teachers due to the presence of asbestos in school buildings at either primary or second level here. [9063/14]
View answerIn 1999, my Department formally requested the Office of Public Works to undertake a survey of all schools, primary and post-primary, to ascertain the position relating to asbestos and every school authority was issued with a written report of the results of this survey outlining the location of asbestos materials, if any, in their school buildings and the proposed action required. Schools that were identified by the Office of Public Works as having a level of asbestos that was deemed to be a Health and Safety issue have had the asbestos removed under my Department's Remediation Programme. If a school authority has a concern in relation to asbestos materials in their school building and wish to have it removed it is open to the school authority to submit an application for funding under my Department's Emergency Works Scheme.
