Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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438. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the actions taken by his Department to remediate fire safety concerns in a school (details supplied) upon publication of the fire safety compliance report on 5 July 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38638/17]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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439. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the supports offered to schools (details supplied) since the discovery that these schools are not fire compliant; the cost that will be incurred to make these schools fire compliant; the target set for completion of these works; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38642/17]

Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 438 and 439 together.

Since the publication of the reports on Friday 1^stSeptember 2017, in addition to written and verbal communication with the schools in question, an official of my Department and the Department’s Fire Consultant have met with the school authorities and briefed them on the progress on the fire safety remediation works.

The relevant Fire Safety Reports have been issued to the Fire Officer and discussed accordingly. A subsequent scope of works as agreed between the Department’s consultants and WBS contractors has issued to the Fire Officer and works to close out the identified issues are now in progress.

The DCC Fire Officer has agreed that the approach the Department is taking with regard to addressing the issues identified in the Reports is appropriate.

Following completion the works will be inspected by the Department’s Consultant. As building owner, WBS will then issue a closing report to the Fire Officer detailing how the works ensure that the buildings then meet the requirements of the Fire Certificate.

The schools were advised of the intended timescale for WBS to complete the remaining fire stopping items over the weekends of the 9^th& 10^thand 16^th& 17^thof September.

My Department will then arrange a follow up meeting with the Fire Officer in early October to ensure DCC are in approval and formally close out the issues.

The schools are owned by WBS and the latter will carry the cost of the works being undertaken.