Press release
Update on WBS School Building Issues
Published on
Last updated on
Published on
Last updated on
The Department of Education and Skills has today (Friday January 18th) announced that the second phase of assessments at schools built by Western Building Systems is now being initiated.
These detailed investigations have been scheduled following the programme of initial structural assessments which were carried out in October and November 2018 at 42 schools constructed by Western Building Systems.
The initial assessments resulted in precautionary measures being put in place at 22 schools as an interim response.
The second phase of assessments now being initiated will involve detailed investigations to determine and design permanent remediation solutions. This second-phase programme will focus initially on the bundle of 22 schools in which precautionary measures were implemented.
John Sisk & Son has been appointed as the contractor to conduct the opening-up and testing works to facilitate the investigations. Ove Arup and Partners Ireland Limited (t/a Arup) has been appointed to carry out the investigations and to design the permanent engineering solutions as required for each individual school.
Five schools are scheduled for detailed assessments in the first tranche of the second phase programme (see table below for details).
Investigation work will take place at weekends to prevent disruption to the schools.
A schedule for investigations in the remainder of the 22 schools in which precautionary measures were implemented will be finalised when assessments of the first five are completed.
Second-phase investigations also includes Ardgillan Community College, part of which remains closed.
Building investigations in schools that did not require precautionary measures will be scheduled for the 2019 summer break.
The investigations will inform the permanent works required in the schools. The delivery of these works will be planned when the extent of the work needed is established. Works will be prioritised for delivery with the aim of maximising use of school holiday periods.
Precautionary measures will remain in place at the schools until permanent solutions have been implemented.
School principals are being kept fully informed and are assisting with arrangements for the second phase assessments. School authorities are communicating directly with parents on developments.
ENDS
19 schools cleared to open in full, without any internal or external intervention
| County | School Name | Roll No. |
| Dublin | Luttrellstown Community College | 76130P |
| Dublin | Gaelscoil Shliabh Rua, Dublin 18 | 20425U |
| Dublin | Broombridge Educate Together National School | 20453C |
| Dublin | Scoil Choilm Community National School, Porterstown | 20241K |
| Dublin | Gaelscoil na Giúise, Firhouse | 20412L |
| Meath | Gaelscoil Thulach na nÓg, Dunboyne | 20082Q |
| Laois | Maryborough National School, Portlaoise | 14838N |
| Dublin | Scoil Aoife Community National School, Citywest | 20422O |
| Donegal | Letterkenny Educate Together National School | 20235P |
| Dublin | Firhouse Educate Together National School | 20411J |
| Wexford | St. Joseph's Primary School, Gorey | 18280I |
| Dublin | Lucan Community National School, Balgaddy Rd | 20426W |
| Wicklow | Gaelscoil na gCloch Liath | 20301C |
| Dublin | Rush and Lusk Educate Together National School | 20176C |
| Dublin | St.Francis of Assisi Primary School, Belmayne | 20304I |
| Dublin | Belmayne Educate Together National School | 20308Q |
| Galway | Galway Educate Together National School | 20000L |
| Kildare | Gaelscoil Mhic Aodha | 20428D |
| Westmeath | Mullingar Educate Together National School | 20188J |
19 schools enabled to open in full, following external precautionary measures in the form of a fence around the building (or part of the building) and protective decking
| County | School Name | Roll No. |
| Dublin | Scoil Chaitlín Maude, Tallaght | 19872P |
| Dublin | Castlemills Education Centre, Balbriggan | n/a |
| Meath | St Paul's National School, Ratoath | 20215J |
| Kildare | Scoil Phádraig Naofa, Athy | 16705E |
| Kildare | Athy Model School (GP Hall Extension only) | 06209J |
| Kildare | Gaelscoil Átha Í (GP Hall Extension only) | 20192A |
| Dublin | Lucan East Educate Together National School | 20303G |
| Laois | Convent National School, Portarlington | 15556I |
| Cork | Scoil Phádraig Naofa, Rochestown | 20335T |
| Laois | Gaelscoil Phortlaoise | 20081O |
| Laois | Portlaoise Educate Together National School | 20347D |
| Meath | Coláiste De Lacy, Ashbourne | 76196W |
| Meath | Gaelscoil na Mí, Ashbourne | 20382F |
| Meath | Ashbourne Educate Together National School | 20396Q |
| Dublin | Griffeen Valley Educate Together National school (2003 Phase only) | 20166W |
| Cork | Gaelscoil Mhichíl Uí Choileáin, Clonakilty | 20006A |
| Cork | Cara Junior (Special) School - required at one part of building only | 20354A |
| Cork | Carrigaline Educate Together National School | 20310D |
| Cork | St Colman's Boys National School, Macroom | 15597W |
3 schools which were enabled to open following the implementation of internal engineering solutions and external precautionary measures
| County | School Name | Roll No. |
| Dublin | Tyrrelstown Educate Together National School | 20201V |
| Dublin | St Luke’s National School, Tyrrelstown | 16675V |
| Dublin | Gaelscoil Eiscir Riada, Lucan | 20223I |
1 school building part closed
| County | School Name | Roll No. |
| Dublin | Ardgillan Community College (Phase 1 only) | 76129H |