Joe McHugh (Donegal, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Gabhaim buíochas leis an Teachta fá choinne na ceiste. Tá dul chun cinn déanta. B’fhéidir go mbeidh an freagra níos soiléire leis na sonraí atá de dhíth agus atá i mo fhreagra.

The schools in Tyrrelstown to which the Deputy refers, namely, St. Luke's national school and Tyrrelstown Educate Together, are in full possession of their buildings, albeit with precautionary measures in place to ensure safe occupancy. The safety of pupils and staff has been and remains our first priority. The Deputy will be aware that, following initial investigations at the schools last October and November, both internal and external precautionary measures were required in them. With the completion of the external precautionary measures, the schools were occupied initially at ground floor only. Works on the precautionary measures required on the upper floors were completed by 12 December 2018. One of the schools fully reoccupied its building at the time. The other opted to take up full occupancy again after the Christmas holidays.

More recently, detailed investigations were carried out at both schools. The purpose of the investigations is to determine the type and extent of issues in each of them and design permanent remediation solutions. The intention is that remediation works necessary in the schools, with 20 other schools that have precautionary measures in place, will be carried out in 2019. My Department has advised the schools accordingly. Work is advancing with the Office of the Chief State Solicitor and the Office of the Attorney General to devise a legal strategy to pursue the contractor in question for the costs of the precautionary measures and the permanent remediation works. Some proceedings have been issued against the contractor in relation to fire safety matters. To date, proceedings have issued in respect of Ardgillan community school which is partially closed as a result of concerns arising from investigations. The case will be back before the Commercial Court in early May.

I acknowledge the principals, teachers, staff, parents and pupils not just of the schools mentioned by the Deputy but of all of the schools affected, not just before Christmas when the issue emerged but also in the weeks and months since. I have met a number of the principals and staff and management of the schools, both at the time and since, and take the opportunity to express my thanks to them for the work they have being doing to make sure the impact on the pupils of the investigations to date is kept to a minimum.

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