Jack Wall (Kildare South, Labour)
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Question 412: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the number of school buildings that contain asbestos; the plans which are in place to contain and make safe this asbestos; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26767/06]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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A nation-wide survey of primary and post-primary schools is being carried out by the Office of Public Works on behalf of my Department in order to establish the position relating to asbestos in school buildings and to undertake any remediation measures necessary.

Where asbestos requiring removal is detected, either as a result of the survey or otherwise, arrangements to undertake the work in accordance with the relevant health and safety legislation are made by the Office of Public Work.

The entire cost of the programme of detection and removal is being borne by my Department. The necessary level of funding will continue to be allocated to the programme as a priority.

Of approximately 4,000 primary and post-primary schools nationwide, over 85% have already been tested. Where remediation works have been found to be necessary, these have either been completed or are underway.