Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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224. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills when an inspection at a school (details supplied) will be completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46657/18]

Joe McHugh (Donegal, Fine Gael)
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The Department’s priority in initiating structural assessments of school buildings constructed by Western Building Systems (WBS) and implementing precautionary measures, where required, has been to ensure the safe occupancy of the school buildings, while minimising disruption to education provision.

The structural assessment at the school in question was focused on the extension constructed by WBS, which comprises the GP hall. The school opened in full after the mid-term break, following external precautionary measures in the form of a fence around the GP hall extension and protective decking.

Now that precautionary measures are in place, the Department will move quickly to initiate the next phase of more detailed structural investigations on all 42 schools constructed by WBS. These investigations will determine the nature and scope of the permanent remediation measures required. At that point, it will be possible to give a projected timeline for each school.

I wish to assure the Deputy that the safety of school students and staff has been, and will continue to be, the Department’s overriding priority during this process.