Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 28 November 2018
78. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will provide assistance to sports clubs seeking alternative venues following the closure of a centre (details supplied) due to building defects; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45633/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs 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 which were part of the Department's Design and Build school building programme. The safety of school students and staff has been and will continue to be, my Department's overriding priority.
The summary outcome of the structural assessments conducted across the 42 schools is as follows:
19 schools cleared to open in full without any precautionary works
19 schools enabled to open in full following external precautionary measures in the form of fencing around all or part of the building and protective decking
3 schools enabled to open, initially at ground floor level only, following the implementation of both internal and external precautionary measures. This relates to two schools in Tyrrelstown and Gaelscoil Eiscir Riada in Lucan.
1 building (Phase 1 of Ardgillan Community College) closed
Tyrellstown Community Centre, which is operated under the auspices of the Fingal County Council, and is shared facility utilised by the schools during school hours and by the wider community outside of school hours and was initially closed on 23 October in conjunction with the two schools on the same campus pending a structural assessment.
I can advise the Deputy that following the structural review of the Tyrellstown Community Centre which was concluded in early November, the Tyrellstown Community centre safely re-opened from 6 November for use by the public.
