Written answers

Wednesday, 13 July 2011

Department of Education and Skills

Asbestos Remediation Programme

6:00 pm

Photo of Martin HeydonMartin Heydon (Kildare South, Fine Gael)
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Question 96: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will put in place necessary safeguards to ensure that all asbestos removal works carried out in schools are performed by approved asbestos removal contractors who are authorised to carry out such work; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20273/11]

Photo of Ruairi QuinnRuairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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I wish to inform the Deputy that procedures and guidelines are already in place to ensure the safe removal of asbestos from schools. When a school authority receives funding from my Department to carry out refurbishment works to their school building, they are advised of their responsibilities as Client for the project under the Safety Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005 and the Safety Health and Welfare at Work (Construction) Regulations, Statutory Instrument (S.I.) 504 of 2006.

In particular school authorities are advised that they must receive written confirmation from all Consultant(s) appointed by them to assist with the delivery of their approved project that they are aware of the contents of the School's Safety File and the School's Asbestos Register. The school management authority is also required to provide written confirmation that their consultants has checked the school safety file and have taken appropriate action in relation to the safe removal of asbestos before my Department will issue any payments in respect of the approved works. In addition school authorities are informed that guidelines documents on "Asbestos Management in Schools" and the "Code of Practice for Management of Asbestos Material in Schools" are available on my Department website at www.education.ie.

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