Joe McHugh (Donegal, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

We were faced with a major issue last October and November. In the middle of the debate and the prioritisation of making sure students, teachers and the workers within the schools were safe, questions were also raised in the House about the ongoing capital programme and how other schools would be impacted. My officials and I were faced with the challenge of how to prioritise both remediation and the ongoing building programme. We had to figure that out. We are looking at completing the schools that need external and internal remediation work in 2019. They will get first priority. The other schools, which do not require advanced invasive work compared with the other schools, will be dealt with in 2020. It is a question of resources, manpower and womanpower, within our offices. We have now set up a team within the building unit in Tullamore wholly dedicated to Western Buildings Systems issues.

We also want to ensure the independent review continues apace. I am committed to ensuring that an independent person or group is appointed by the end of this month.

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