Maureen O'Sullivan (Dublin Central, Independent)
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99. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the remedial works required to deal with the pyrite issues in schools (details supplied); if students will be expected to vacate the schools when works take place; and the timeframe for same. [42346/19]

Joe McHugh (Donegal, Fine Gael)
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I am pleased to inform the Deputy that any structural issues arising in a school building as a result of pyrite are being dealt with under my Department's Emergency Works Scheme (EWS).  In this regard funding of €84,750.00 was spent on the second school in question in 2017. 

I can also confirm that both schools referred to by the Deputy have been instructed to procure consultants to draw up a scope of works and an estimate of costs to rectify the the pyrite issues.  This has been completed in one case and the school authority is liasing with the schools insurance provider regarding the works and my Department is currently awaiting the consultants report pertaining to the other school.  Therefore the deputy will appreciate that as this matter is still being dealt with by external bodies we are unable to give a timeline for delivery of the works at present. Additionally, as we cannot yet confirm how the works will be carried out, we cannot say whether or to what extent the works will impact on the school.

In general if a school authority identifies any issues with a building that have been caused by pyrite, it is open to it to submit an application for funding under my Department’s Emergency Works Scheme. Application forms are available on my Department’s website.