Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 19 November 2019
143. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Education and Skills the timeline for the commencement of renovation works at a school (details supplied) in Dublin 15, in order to address the issues being caused by pyrite; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47121/19]
View answer148. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Education and Skills the status of pyrite remedial works at a school (details supplied); the engagement with the school authorities; the work that is planned to resolve immediate health and safety issues; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47188/19]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 143 and 148 together.
Once the presence of pyrite in the school referred to by the Deputy was established, my Department's Planning and Building Unit sought legal advice as to how to proceed. The matter has been referred to the Chief State Solicitor’s Office.
The Deputy will appreciate that as this matter is still being dealt with by the Chief State Solicitors Office. it is not possible for me to comment further at present.
However, I can say that if a school authority identifies any issues with a building that have been caused by pyrite, it is open to it to submit an application for funding under my Department’s Emergency Works Scheme (EWS). Application forms are available on my Department’s website. In this regard funding of €169,265.00 has been approved for remediation of the school in question in 2019.
Most recently, my Department wrote to the school on 14th August last approving all the necessary works for which it applied. As EWS are devolved projects, it is a matter for the school to progress these works.
