Joe McHugh (Donegal, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

That is correct. The reason there are precautionary measures is that there is an ultra cautious approach to the 19 schools. Initial assessments are that there is a suspicion of a lack of wall ties. There is no immediate danger but the judgment was made that there is an issue with structural weakness. For example, there is a three school campus in Ashbourne and the total length of the fence is 3 km. That gives an indication of the extent of the work that took place and the type of logistical exercise involved over the bank holiday weekend. It is to reassure the parents who are sending their children to these 19 schools. I spoke to my colleague, the Minister, Deputy Creed, this morning and two of his boys are attending one of the schools in Macroom. Its external walls are raising a concern about a potential absence of wall ties. However, until we get a full evaluation and assessment of the extent of the problem we have taken the ultra precautionary measure of putting fencing around these schools.

It is ultra cautious on my part. From day one I was on the same hymn sheet as my officials about safety so we are taking this ultra cautious approach. The extent of the problem in some of these schools is not the same. Some will need more work than others. In fact, in one school it is only one gable wall but we have taken the precautionary approach of having the fencing around all 19 schools. The two Tyrrelstown schools and Eiscir Riada in Lucan have internal and external issues and that is why that approach has been taken. Ardgillan is in a different position and we have closed down that building. Phase 1 was built in 2009. Phase 2 was built in 2015 and it does not have any structural issues and that is why that school is operating since yesterday morning. Eiscir Riada in Lucan is in the same situation as Tyrrelstown. It opened yesterday morning for the junior students to attend.

That is not to say that the concerns are different in different schools. The Tyrrelstown's boards of management and principals took a decision because of the logistics of moving children to different settings. They took the cautious and safety approach which was the right decision. They wanted the extra time to reassure parents. Parents will be afforded an opportunity tomorrow to visit Tyrrelstown and meet the engineers from PUNCH Consulting Engineers, departmental officials and the staff so they are reassured before they send their children back on Thursday morning.