Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 28 November 2018
143. Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Minister for Education and Skills the timeline for completion of works at schools affected by the review of developments by a company (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49720/18]
View answerAs the Deputy is aware, over the course of the mid-term break my Department undertook structural assessments on all 42 school buildings constructed by the company in question since 2003 which were part of the Department's Design and Build school building programme. The safety of school students and staff has been and will continue to be, my Department's overriding priority.
The summary outcome of the structural assessments conducted across the 42 schools is as follows:
19 schools cleared to open in full without any precautionary works
19 schools enabled to open in full following external precautionary measures in the form of fencing around all or part of the building and protective decking
3 schools enabled to open, initially at ground floor level only, following the implementation of both internal and external precautionary measures. This relates to two schools in Tyrrelstown and Gaelscoil Eiscir Riada in Lucan.
1 building (Phase 1 of Ardgillan Community College) closed
My Department will now be moving as quickly as possible to the next phase, which is to initiate more detailed structural investigations at the 42 schools. These investigations will determine the nature and scope of the permanent remediation measures required. This will also enable an implementation plan to be put in place which will include, as appropriate, projected timelines.
The initial planning and preparations for this next phase has now commenced.
