Vol. 521 No. 4
333 Mr. McGinley asked the Minister for Education and Science if his attention has been drawn to the widespread disruption caused to teaching staff in schools being prepared for asbestos removal, as all furniture, equipment and materials must be removed when work is being carried out; and if there is any compensation or remuneration available to those teachers who have to carry out this extra work. [17588/00]
My Department is currently undertaking a survey of all primary and post-primary schools in order to determine the level of asbestos present and the measures necessary to deal with the issue.
Where asbestos requiring removal is detected, either as a result of the survey or otherwise, arrangements to undertake the work in accordance with the relevant health and safety legislation are made by my Department and the Office of Public Works. Because of the size and complexity of the remediation programme, a certain level of disruption is inevitable, although my Department and the Office of Public Works make every effort to keep this to a minimum. The school authorities in all cases are given advance notification of the measures being taken and the extent of the work involved and it is a matter for local school management to make the necessary arrangements to facilitate the execution of the work.
The full cost of the survey and the necessary remediation measures are being borne by my Department.
