Further Update from Dept of Education on evening of 31st Oct 18

The Department of Education issued a further update on 31/10 18 on the latest situation on assessments: 'The summary position, on the basis of all assessments completed to date, is:

11 schools cleared to open in full without further intervention
14 schools enabled to open in full following external intervention in the form of a fence around the building and protective decking
3 schools in which the ground floor will be enabled to open following the implementation of internal engineering solutions and external interventions
13 schools subject to ongoing structural assessment and analysis (outcome to be confirmed tomorrow)
Phase 1 of Ardgillan Community College closed. ' A list of the status of individual schools can be viewed here



Dept of Education Statement - AM on 31/10/18

The Department of Education and Skills confirms that onsite work has now commenced on the engineering solutions that will enable the reopening of the ground floors of Tyrrelstown Educate Together National School, St Luke’s National School and Gaelscoil Eiscir Riada, Lucan after the mid-term break.

Work is also commencing at the buildings requiring external intervention only prior to reopening in full, i.e. Scoil Chaitlín Maude in Tallaght and Castlemills Education Centre in Balbriggan.  

Arrangements are in place with a contractor to mobilise in the event of internal and/or external interventions being required in other schools following the completion of structural assessments.

The initial site-based structural assessments are on course to be completed this evening, with detailed analysis by engineers and Department officials, and any necessary follow up examinations, to continue over the course of today and tomorrow.
Speaking today from the Department’s Planning and Building Division in Tullamore, the Minister said:

“I am pleased with the progress being made on the programme of initial assessments. I appreciate that parents, pupils and staff are keen to hear results from inspections at schools and the Department is confident that once further analysis is carried out by engineers and consultants we will be in a position to confirm decisions in the next day or two.”

The Department is working in close cooperation with the principals of the three schools which will require an element of interim accommodation after the mid-term break, i.e. Tyrrelstown Educate Together National School, St Luke’s National School and Gaelscoil Eiscir Riada, Lucan.

At this point, it is envisaged that all displaced classes in these schools can be accommodated in other school premises.  School transport arrangements will be put in place from the existing school buildings in order to minimise disruption to students and their families.

Once interim accommodation arrangements are finalised, they will be communicated via the school authorities to all parents. 

The Department of Education and Skills intends to issue its next update tomorrow evening, 31 October.  

Dept of Education Statment 30 Oct 2018

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