Menu
26/10/2018
Structural Assessments Planned For All Schools Built By Western Building Systems
All schools developed by Western Building Systems (WBS) have now been contacted by the Department of Education to arrange for structural assessments to be carried out.
It follows the closure of three schools earlier this week that had been built by WBS.
Structural assessments will be carried out over the weekend and mid-term break in order to minimise disruption to schools and ensure that they can be completed as quickly as possible.
The Department of Education's interim accommodation team is said to have been working intensively, in consultation with the school principals, to secure an interim accommodation solution for Tyrrelstown Educate Together National School and St Luke's National School.
All principals have been notified of the planned opening up works and will receive further information including practical advice on the nature of the works.
Minister McHugh added: "Good progress has been made today in ensuring that the students and staff of the affected schools in Tyrrelstown will have an interim accommodation solution by the end of the mid-term break. While we await the outcome of further structural assessments, we would wish to be clear that school buildings will only be closed where it is deemed necessary to do so, and every effort will be made to minimise disruption to students, staff and families."
Site visits at Ardgillan Community College and the schools in Tyrrelstown also took place today, involving Department of Education and Skills officials, structural engineers and representatives of Western Building Systems. This provided Western Building Systems with the opportunity to view the structural issues identified at the three schools. The Department is awaiting a response from Western Building Systems.
The overriding priority of the Department remains the health and safety of the school pupils and staff.
(MH)
It follows the closure of three schools earlier this week that had been built by WBS.
Structural assessments will be carried out over the weekend and mid-term break in order to minimise disruption to schools and ensure that they can be completed as quickly as possible.
The Department of Education's interim accommodation team is said to have been working intensively, in consultation with the school principals, to secure an interim accommodation solution for Tyrrelstown Educate Together National School and St Luke's National School.
All principals have been notified of the planned opening up works and will receive further information including practical advice on the nature of the works.
Minister McHugh added: "Good progress has been made today in ensuring that the students and staff of the affected schools in Tyrrelstown will have an interim accommodation solution by the end of the mid-term break. While we await the outcome of further structural assessments, we would wish to be clear that school buildings will only be closed where it is deemed necessary to do so, and every effort will be made to minimise disruption to students, staff and families."
Site visits at Ardgillan Community College and the schools in Tyrrelstown also took place today, involving Department of Education and Skills officials, structural engineers and representatives of Western Building Systems. This provided Western Building Systems with the opportunity to view the structural issues identified at the three schools. The Department is awaiting a response from Western Building Systems.
The overriding priority of the Department remains the health and safety of the school pupils and staff.
(MH)
Related Irish News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
24 October 2017
Govt Slammed Over Failure To Meet Deadline Over Development Of New Schools
The government has been slammed over its failure to meet its own deadline over the development of new schools in Ireland. Fianna Fáil Spokesperson on Education and Skills Thomas Byrne TD made the comments after the Department of Education and Skills revealed that the construction of 21 new schools earmarked for 2015 is yet to get underway.
Govt Slammed Over Failure To Meet Deadline Over Development Of New Schools
The government has been slammed over its failure to meet its own deadline over the development of new schools in Ireland. Fianna Fáil Spokesperson on Education and Skills Thomas Byrne TD made the comments after the Department of Education and Skills revealed that the construction of 21 new schools earmarked for 2015 is yet to get underway.
27 June 2011
Up To 40 New Schools To Be Established In Six Years
Twenty new primary schools and twenty new post-primary schools are to be established in the next six years. Announcing the new schools, the Minister for Education and Skills, Ruairí Quinn said: "My Department is forecasting an increase of over 45,050 primary pupils and 24,900 post-primary pupils by the start of the 2017/18 school year.
Up To 40 New Schools To Be Established In Six Years
Twenty new primary schools and twenty new post-primary schools are to be established in the next six years. Announcing the new schools, the Minister for Education and Skills, Ruairí Quinn said: "My Department is forecasting an increase of over 45,050 primary pupils and 24,900 post-primary pupils by the start of the 2017/18 school year.
16 February 2018
State Still Waiting For New Schools To Built From 2013
Fianna Fáil has criticised the Government over its "failure to get to grips with its own annual plans for the construction of new schools across Ireland over the last five years". Fianna Fáil Spokesperson on Education and Skills, Thomas Byrne, said that construction is yet to even start on five schools which were first announced in 2013.
State Still Waiting For New Schools To Built From 2013
Fianna Fáil has criticised the Government over its "failure to get to grips with its own annual plans for the construction of new schools across Ireland over the last five years". Fianna Fáil Spokesperson on Education and Skills, Thomas Byrne, said that construction is yet to even start on five schools which were first announced in 2013.
09 November 2007
Protestant Schools Protest Imposition Of Outside Staff
A bitter educational dispute is likely to lead to the courts as four Protestant schools in Dublin continue to refuse the imposition of teachers from other, now closed schools elsewhere.
Protestant Schools Protest Imposition Of Outside Staff
A bitter educational dispute is likely to lead to the courts as four Protestant schools in Dublin continue to refuse the imposition of teachers from other, now closed schools elsewhere.
11 September 2019
Over 200 Schools Join Creative Learning Initiative
Government has today revealed details of enhanced access to creative activities for over 200 schools. Through the Scoileanna Ildánacha/Creative Schools and Creative Clusters initiatives, arts and creativity form the centre of school life for over 100,000 students.
Over 200 Schools Join Creative Learning Initiative
Government has today revealed details of enhanced access to creative activities for over 200 schools. Through the Scoileanna Ildánacha/Creative Schools and Creative Clusters initiatives, arts and creativity form the centre of school life for over 100,000 students.
-
Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:Outbreaks of rain during this evening. Becoming mainly dry with clearing skies overnight with a frost possible along with a few icy patches. Some fog may form in the south. Minimum temperature 0 °C.
