Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 28 November 2018
54. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Education and Skills the actions taken to date to investigate the role and responsibilities of project managers, architects and other professionals with regard to the structural and fire safety issues identified at a number of schools constructed by a company (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49451/18]
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 Western Building Systems since 2003 following the identification of significant structural issues at Ardgillan Community College in Balbriggan during an assessment undertaken by a structural engineer at the school on 19 October. The safety of school students and staff has been and will continue to be, my Department's overriding priority.
I would like to acknowledge the impact this has had on students, parents, school principals, staff, patrons and Boards of Management of all 42 schools, in particular the 23 schools where precautionary measures where carried out. I would also like to thank all concerned for their patience and understanding over the last number of weeks.
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 and, following on from this, to implement the permanent remediation works required. The Department fully intends to pursue the company through all contractual and legal channels for the cost of the precautionary measures and the remediation work.
It is also my intention to initiate an independent review of the Department’s Design & Build Programme, to include aspects such as procurement, quality control, workmanship and oversight, looking at aspects both pre- and post-implementation of the amended building control regulations in 2014. This will also involve the role and responsibilities of project managers, architects and other professionals. This will be an independent review conducted by a person or entity outside the Department and will be informed by the more detailed structural investigations to be carried out in the next phase of the programme.
