Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 6 November 2018
291. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of fire safety audits conducted by his Department 2017 and to date in 2018; the county in which the audits took place; if issues were identified in these audits; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44976/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department initiated a programme of fire safety assessments in 55 schools in Q4 2017. This involved 30 schools constructed by Western Building Systems under Design and Build contracts and a representative sample of 25 other schools constructed over the last 20 years. Fire Safety Consultants have visited all 55 schools and to date 51 initial Fire Safety Assessment reports have been received in my Department with the remaining 4 reports due in the coming weeks. The Fire Safety Consultants have engaged directly with the fire officers in their respective local authorities to advise of remedial works planned and underway.
The reports identify various housekeeping, maintenance and remedial works to be addressed and the Department has engaged the services of KSN Project Managers with a full technical team including Architects, Engineers and Fire Safety Consultants, to organise and oversee any necessary remedial works.
Fire Safety Assessments were undertaken in the following counties; Dublin, Meath, Kildare, Kilkenny, Westmeath, Laois, Wexford, Galway, Mayo, Kerry, Cork, Limerick and Monaghan.
