Corrective repairs will get underway this summer at dozens of schools built by Western Building Systems.
It’s after an audit of all schools built by the company on behalf of the state identified 22 with significant structural defects.
A number of Dublin schools were forced to close large sections of their premises after the defects were identified in October last year.
Precautionary measures were put in place at all 22 to ensure pupils could continue to attend classes – with scaffolding in place around a number of buildings for months.
Significant structural defects
In a statement this evening, the Department of Education said detailed investigations into the defects at all of the buildings have now been completed – and engineers have set out a plan to begin repair works this summer.
The department began delivering a series of information briefings to school patrons on the plans earlier this week and they are due to continue in the coming days.
Student safety
The Minister for Education Joe McHugh said safety has been the Government’s “number one priority” since the defects were identified.
“We are now able to outline when affected schools will have a contractor on site and we are also giving schools an explanation of what the work will entail,” he said.
“I am glad that we are now able to move into this phase of ensuring a permanent fix for these buildings.”
Structural investigations
Individual schools will meet with department officials in the coming days to discuss the plans.
“We have been clear from the start about the importance of keeping schools up to date in response to concerns about structural issues and providing them with as much clear information from the outset,” said Minister McHugh.
“The briefings are a chance for the Department to engage with school authorities, to share details of the remediation programme and the timetabling for the works which aims to make the most of the holidays.”
He said structural investigations will be carried out at 17 other schools built by company over the summer.
