Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 22 January 2019
78. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Education and Skills the status of the remedial works carried out in primary schools in Tyrellstown recently; the estimated cost of the works; if the work has been completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2771/19]
View answerPrecautionary works to the two primary schools in Tyrellstown were completed on the 12th of December last. These are interim measures to ensure that the buildings can be safely occupied. St. Luke's NS opted to return to its building at that time. Tyrellstown ETNS opted to return to it building after the Christmas holidays and is in full occupation since then.
The second phase of assessments at schools built by Western Building Systems was initiated on Friday, 18/1/19.
This involves detailed investigations to determine and design permanent remediation solutions across the 40 buildings concerned.
This second-phase programme will focus initially on the bundle of 22 schools in which precautionary measures were implemented. This includes the two schools In Tyrrelstown.
Five schools are scheduled for detailed assessments in the first tranche of the second phase assessment programme. These are:
|
Presentation Convent NS Portarlington |
|
Carrigaline ETNS |
|
Scoil Chaitlin Maude NS, Tallaght |
|
Gaelscoil Eiscir Riada, Lucan |
|
St. Paul’s NS Ratoath |
Second-phase investigations also includes Ardgillan Community College, part of which remains closed.
Investigation work in these schools will take place over successive weekends, starting 18/01/19. This approach is to prevent disruption to the schools and so that they can open the following Monday morning.
A schedule for investigations in the remainder of the 22 schools in which precautionary measures were implemented, including the Tyrrelstown schools, will be finalised when assessments of the first five are completed.
Building investigations in schools that did not require precautionary measures will be scheduled for the 2019 summer break.
John Sisk & Son has been appointed as the contractor to conduct the opening-up and testing works to facilitate the investigations. Ove Arup and Partners Ireland Limited (t/a Arup) has been appointed to carry out the investigations and to design the permanent engineering solutions as required for each individual school.
The delivery of the permanent remediation solutions works will be planned when the extent of the work needed is established. Works will be prioritised for delivery with the aim of maximising use of school holiday periods.
Precautionary measures will remain in place at the schools until permanent solutions have been implemented.
As precautionary works only have been carried out in the Tyrrelstown schools, the estimated costs for the complete project, which will include the permanent solution when devised, are not yet available.
