Written answer
Defective Building Materials
OPW has appointed a structural engineer to assess remedial options; inspections found no current structural concerns, with no remedial works expected within five years.
45. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation if he will provide an update on plans to remediate the defective concrete blocks in the structure of Shannon Garda, Station, County Clare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [74787/26]
Comment on this
Between 2022 and 2025, the Office of Public Works engaged a consultant engineer to undertake monitoring and preliminary testing of the cracking that was observed in the external walls of Shannon Garda Station, to ensure that there were no safety issues with the building.
The outcome of this monitoring and preliminary testing determined that a detailed assessment (desktop study, inspections, testing, analysis) and design would be necessary to enable potential remedial solutions to be determined.
In September 2025 the Office of Public Works prepared a public tender for the services of a consultant structural engineer to undertake the necessary detailed assessment, design and provide remedial options, to enable the Office of Public Works to evaluate and determine the optimum remedial solution.
In November 2025 a consulting structural engineer was appointed by the Office of Public Works.
The consultant has advised the Office of Public Works that their inspections do not raise any structural concerns at present and that they do not anticipate the need for structural remedial works within the next five years.