Progress made on defective schools

A NUMBER of local schools included in a major remediation programme will be allowed to reopen in September, the Department of Education has confirmed.

Last week, the Minister for Education, Joe McHugh, provided an update on the 40 schools constructed by Western Building Systems (WBS) that were included in the programme after structural issues emerged in 2018.

Some 22 schools were included in the first phase of the programme over the course of the summer holidays, with permanent engineering solutions designed for each building.

Structural remediation work has been carried out in 14 of these schools, including Tyrrelstown Education Together NS, over the past six and seven weeks. This will enable the precautionary measures put in place at these schools to be removed as the work has now been completed.

Structural remediation work in the remaining eight of these 22 schools is due to commence later this year. 

Planned fire safety remediation works were carried out in these eight schools during the summer. This fire safety remediation programme will progress to the 14 schools that have undergone structural remediation.

Seventeen schools, including Broombridge Education Together NS in Cabra, are included in the second phase of the remediation programme. These schools have undergone detailed assessments over recent weeks, according to the Minister’s update.

Engineers have advised that some permanent remediation work is required in each of these schools. 

In the interim, temporary engineering solutions and other precautionary measures are being put in place in parts of some of these school buildings. 

In a statement, Minister McHugh said: “Good progress is being made on the programme for remediation works in the schools. 

“I want to thank the principals, patrons, boards of management, teachers, parents and pupils in these schools. It is with their support and cooperation while the work is carried out that we can restore their schools to normality.

“I am deeply conscious of the disruption and difficulties that this issue has caused since last autumn. It is a complex problem that has required intensive analysis and tailored solutions following detailed assessment by engineers.”

Minister McHugh added: “Safety has always been at the heart of our response to the structural deficiencies that were identified in these schools. It will continue to be.

“Any permanent or temporary engineering solutions or precautionary measures that are advised by engineers as a result of detailed assessment and analysis of these buildings are being undertaken.”

Deirdre Duffy, a Fine Gael candidate for Dublin Central in the next general election, welcomed the news that Broombridge Educate Together NS and the crèche is to reopen in September.

“The parents and children of Broombrdge National School are greatly relieved at the news that the school is due to reopen following essential works carried out by the Department of Education,” she said.

“It has been a particularly difficult summer for the parents of children attending the crèche and for the crèche staff. The ongoing uncertainty has only added to their worries.”

Ms Duffy added: “Broombridge ETNS is a wonderful, vibrant school with a strong community spirit and we can now look forward to the new term and the reopening of Bo Peeps crèche.”