Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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245. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will report on his visit to a school in Tyrrelstown recently. [45881/18]

Joe McHugh (Donegal, Fine Gael)
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The structural assessment carried out on the schools in Tyrrelstown identified a number of issues with the buildings. While no imminent danger was identified it was decided that the schools should be closed with immediate effect as a precautionary measure.

The schools are being enabled to reopen, initially at ground floor level only, following theimplementation of both internal and external precautionary measures. Work is continuing over the course of today and tomorrow to address a number of outstanding operational issues and all parties are working towards the reopening of the schools later in the week.

My visit to the schools in Tyrrellstown provided an opportunity to gain an understanding of the concerns of the school community and to assure the school authority that the safety of school students and staff was, and will continue to be, the Department’s overriding priority during this process.

Furthermore, I was able to assure the school authority that every effort was being made during this challenging period to minimise disruption to students, staff and families.