Thomas Byrne (Meath East, Fianna Fail)
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141. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the certification process undertaken at a school (details supplied) with regard to the standard of construction works completed in 2009; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44335/18]

Thomas Byrne (Meath East, Fianna Fail)
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142. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the contingency plans in place at a school (details supplied) as a result of the closure of a school building; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44336/18]

Joe McHugh (Donegal, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 141 and 142 together.

My Department was made aware of structural issues that were identified during opening up works at the school referred to by the Deputy and is working closely with the Dublin and Dún Laoghaire Education and Training Board in dealing with the issues.

Following advice from a consultant structural engineer and in consultation with the relevant Dublin and Dún Laoghaire Education and Training Board a decision was taken to close a section of the school in question. A number of students have been accommodated in the section of the school that remains open and a number of transition year students were requested to remain at home for one week.

The school in question was constructed in two phases and the portion of the school that is currently closed was constructed in 2009 under a Design and Build contract. A copy of certificates of compliance were forwarded to the Department at the time the school building was handed over in 2009.

I want to reassure the Deputy that at all times the key priority of my Department is the safety of students and staff.