School structural defects update
Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked for an update on remedial works in the schools affected by structural defects and whether they could reopen that week. The Taoiseach replied that safety was the priority, said assessments of all 42 schools were complete, and began outlining the clearance status.
I want to return to the issue raised by Deputy Coppinger in respect of the structural issues affecting schools throughout the State. I understand the Minister for Education and Skills briefed Cabinet on this matter this morning. I ask for a brief update as to where the remedial works are at and if the schools that are closed will be able to re-open this week. I also ask what plan is in place for the future to ensure structural issues that have been identified are properly and permanently addressed in all 23 of the schools where the problems have been found.
Comment on this
The Minister for Education and Skills is currently in the Seanad so, on his behalf, I will update the House on this important issue. Our first priority, as always, is the safety of school students and, of course, staff. I want to acknowledge the co-operation of parents, school principals, staff, patrons and boards of management through this very challenging period.
Structural assessments have now been completed in all 42 schools constructed by Western Building Systems. The summary outcome of the assessments is as follows. Nineteen have been cleared fully to open without the need for any precautionary works and 19 others have been enabled to open in full following external precautionary measures in the form of fencing around all or part of the building and protective decking. Three schools are able to open initially at ground floor level only following the implementation of both internal and external precautionary measures: this relates to two schools in Tyrellstown and one in Lucan, and all of these schools will be open before the end of the week. At Ardgillan, one building in phase one of the community college has been closed but it has been possible for all students to be accommodated elsewhere on the campus.
The implementation of all necessary precautionary measures was completed last Sunday night, 4 November, to enable schools to reopen this week. It was facilitated by an intensive effort involving more than 250 construction workers across all sites, many of whom worked through the bank holiday weekend. I particularly want to record my thanks to them for that.