17 schools to stay shut over botched buildings
NEW assessments on schools built by Western Building Systems last night revealed 17 require intervention before
reopening. However, 11 were cleared to open after mid-term with no action.
A further 14 can follow when a fence is built around the building and three will have access to only their ground floor after work is carried out.
And 13 schools are subject to ongoing structural assessment and analysis while Ardgillan Community College will remain closed.
Education Minister Joe Mchugh said: “The outcomes of further structural assessments which we have received today are important in providing clarity to school authorities, students and parents.
“The advice I have received is no other building has presented the same severity of structural issues as those identified in Phase 1 of Ardgillan Community College, which was built in 2009.”
Contractors have started work on site at five schools confirmed as requiring internal and/or external interventions. The target is to have this completed within days.
The department’s temporary accommodation team has been working with the principals of Tyrrelstown ETNS, St Luke’s National School and Gaelscoil Eiscir Riada, Lucan over recent days to find accommodation for displaced students.