Joe McHugh (Donegal, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The Deputy will be aware that last October and November my Department carried out initial investigations into 42 schools that were built by the company to which he refers. He will also be aware that of those schools, 22 required precautionary measures to ensure that they could be safely occupied. The safety of pupils and staff has been and remains our first priority.

Following on from this, my Department initiated a second phase of detailed investigations for the schools on 18 January last. This is focusing initially on the 22 schools that have precautionary measures in place and at Ardgillan Community College, Balbriggan, part of which remains closed. Eight investigations have been completed to date. The remainder are expected to be completed by early May. Detailed investigations in the schools that do not have precautionary measures in place will be carried out during the summer months.

The purpose of the investigations is to determine the type and extent of structural issues in each individual school and to design permanent remediation solutions where these are needed. The intention is that any remediation works necessary in the 22 schools with precautionary measures will be carried out in 2019. It is envisaged that remediation work in the schools without precautionary measures will take place in 2020.

Preparatory work to initiate a review of the Department’s design and build programme is currently under way. This includes consultation with the Office of the Attorney General given the existing legal process. It must be ensured that the review does not compromise this. I will make an announcement on the review when the necessary preparatory work has been completed.

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