Joe McHugh (Donegal, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

We do not have a costing. We do not even have a costing for the temporary remedial work over the last two weeks. Obviously, I will have to deal with that. I will also be talking to the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Deputy Donohoe, about treating this as an extreme measure. I am treating it as a very extreme measure. At the same time our first port of call is accountability and culpability and we will be following up through the appropriate channels in that regard. Until I know exactly what this will cost I am not in a position to go to the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform to seek extra money.

We will initiate an inquiry and it is our intention to initiate this programme-level review of the Department's design and build programme at the appropriate time. It will look at whether rapid response to building is the right way to build. It will include procurement, quality control, workmanship and oversight. We have to look at everything. We owe the people nothing less.

Deputy Burton spoke about the community and the pride in the two schools. I picked that up on the ground in Tyrrelstown. There is disappointment on one hand but on the other hand, it is about how we move forward because my duty of care is to ensure those two schools get the adequate response to ensure they will be part of that community for a long time, be it Lucan, Tyrrelstown or any other part of the country.

The Grenfell Tower fire was mentioned. Let us be honest; this fire happened in June 2017. These assessments of the 55 schools came in September 2017. Obviously, there was a lot of triggering here. The Grenfell Tower fire brought a lot of focus not just to this Department but other Departments. Once those 55 assessments were complete, there was a triggering of the suspicion in late August 2018 that fast-tracked putting a team in place to check out the schools in Tyrrelstown and Ardgillan.

We do not yet know the cost of remedial works. We must wait and see what the figure is. A question was asked about the standing down of a contractor. We are having conversations with the Attorney General regarding many matters, one of which is future contracts.