SAFETY PROBE SCHOOLS TO OPEN AFTER MID-TERM
...but some will not be able to use all rooms
THE Department of Education confirmed last night all schools assessed for structural defects will be able to reopen on Monday.
However, while 38 will be able to welcome back pupils, four will only be able to use part of their buildings.
A total of 42 schools built by Western Building Systems were assessed over safety fears and 19 were cleared to open without any further intervention.
But 23 were found to have defects, including Ardgillan Community College in Balbriggan, North Dublin, which was forced to close off a section containing 18 classrooms.
It has been confirmed Ardgillan will be open next week and will be able to accommodate all pupils, even though part of the building remains closed off.
Three Dublin primary schools will only be able to use their ground floor following the assessment.
Five schools were found to have external structural problems and fencing and protective structures will need to be put in place around some external walls.
The affected schools are Griffeen Valley Educate Together in Dublin, the Gaelscoil in Clonakilty, Cara Junior Special School, Carrigaline Educate Together and Macroom Boys National School, all in Co Cork.
Education Minister Joe Mchugh said: “The project managers, structural engineering teams and department officials have been working intensively to enable the finalisation of all structural assessments and to give the necessary clarity to school authorities and communities.
“Right throughout this process, our overriding priority has been the safety of school students and staff.
“This has led us to adopt a very cautious approach and to initiate precautionary interventions where structural issues have been identified during the assessments.”