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Programme finalised for remediation of structural issues in 22 schools constructed by Western Building Systems (WBS)

The Minister for Education and Skills Joe McHugh T.D. has today (Thursday 6 June) confirmed that a remediation programme for 22 schools constructed by WBS will commence during the summer.

A series of information sessions for school authorities and management began in the Department of Education and Skills this week. The briefings will run over the coming days and will give an outline of the schedule of works and the nature of the remediation.

Precautionary measures were put in place in 22 schools last October and November to ensure their continued safe occupancy after structural issues were identified.

Detailed investigations subsequently took place in the schools, outside of school opening times to minimise disruption. They were completed recently, allowing engineering experts to design permanent remediation works for affected schools.

Minister McHugh said: “From day one, safety has been our number one priority. We are now able to outline when affected schools will have a contractor on site and we are also giving schools an explanation of what the work will entail.

“I am glad that we are now able to move into this phase of ensuring a permanent fix for these buildings.”

Briefings by the Department’s building unit have begun, with the first information session given to school patrons earlier this week and further sessions continuing with individual schools.

Minister McHugh said: “We have been clear from the start about the importance of keeping schools up to date in response to concerns about structural issues and providing them with as much clear information from the outset.

“The briefings are a chance for the Department to engage with school authorities, to share details of the remediation programme and the timetabling for the works which aims to make the most of the holidays.”

Minister McHugh also confirmed that planned detailed structural assessments of 17 schools, also built by WBS, which did not require initial precautionary measures, will take place this summer in parallel with the permanent remediation works at the other 22 schools.

Ends

Notes for Editors

A programme of initial structural assessments was carried out in October and November 2018 at 42 schools constructed by Western Building Systems.

The initial assessments resulted in precautionary measures being put in place at 22 schools as an interim response.

A specific remediation plan is being put in place for Ardgillan Community College, part of which remains closed.

Two schools in which structural issues were identified were already part of a plan to move into new school buildings and those schools have completed that move.

The Minister will provide further details of the remediation programme when all of the 23 schools on the programme, including Ardgillan Community College, and their patrons have been briefed.

 

Summary position following assessment of schools in October/November 2018

19 schools cleared to open in full without any internal or external intervention

County

School Name

Roll No

Dublin

Luttrellstown Community College

76130P

Dublin

Gaelscoil Shliabh Rua, Dublin 18

20425U

Dublin

Broombridge  Educate Together National School

20453C

Dublin

Scoil Choilm Community National School, Porterstown

20241K

Dublin

Gaelscoil na Giúise, Firhouse

20412L

Meath

Gaelscoil Thulach na nÓg, Dunboyne

20082Q

Laois

Maryborough National School, Portlaoise

14838N

Dublin

Scoil Aoife Community National School, Citywest

20422O

Donegal

Letterkenny Educate Together National School

20235P

Dublin

Firhouse Educate Together National School

20411J

Wexford

18280I

Dublin

Lucan Community National School, Balgaddy Rd

20426W

Wicklow

Gaelscoil na gCloch Liath

20301C

Dublin

Rush and Lusk Educate Together National School

20176C

*Dublin

20304I

*Dublin

Belmayne Educate Together National School

20308Q

Galway

Galway Educate Together National School

20000L

Kildare

Gaelscoil Mhic Aodha

20428D

Westmeath

Mullingar Educate Together National School

20188J

 

*Completed move to new school buildings

 

19 schools enabled to open in full following external precautionary measures

County

School Name

Roll No

Dublin

Scoil Chaitlín Maude, Tallaght

19872P

Dublin

Castlemills Education Centre, Balbriggan

n/a

Meath

St Paul's National School, Ratoath

20215J

Kildare

Scoil Phádraig Naofa, Athy

16705E

Kildare

Athy Model School (GP Hall Extension only)

06209J

Kildare

Gaelscoil Átha Í (GP Hall Extension only)

20192A

Dublin

Lucan East Educate Together National School

20303G

Laois

Convent National School, Portarlington

15556I

Cork

Scoil Phádraig Naofa, Rochestown

20335T

Laois

Gaelscoil Phortlaoise

20081O

Laois

Portlaoise Educate Together National School

20347D

Meath

Coláiste De Lacy, Ashbourne

76196W

Meath

Gaelscoil na Mí, Ashbourne

20382F

Meath

Ashbourne Educate Together National School

20396Q

Dublin

Griffeen Valley Educate Together National school (2003 Phase only)

20166W

Cork

Gaelscoil Mhichíl Uí Choileáin, Clonakilty

20006A

Cork

Cara Junior (Special) School - required at one part of building only

20354A

Cork

Carrigaline Educate Together National School

20310D

Cork

St Colman's Boys National School, Macroom

15597W

 

3 schools which were enabled to open following the implementation of internal and external precautionary measures

County

School Name

Roll No

Dublin

Tyrrelstown Educate Together National School

20201V

Dublin

St Luke’s National School, Tyrrelstown

16675V

 Dublin

 Gaelscoil Eiscir Riada, Lucan

20223I

1 school building part closed

Dublin

Ardgillan Community College (Phase 1 only)

76129H