The Department of Education and Youth is preparing a strategy to help schools that are waiting for defective concrete block remediation as well as schools that may be affected in the future.
Minister for Education and Youth Helen McEntee confirmed that to date 16 schools, based in Co Donegal, have submitted emergency work applications for funding related to the testing of defective concrete blocks.
In a response to a parliamentary question submitted by Sinn Féin TD Pearse Doherty, Ms McEntee said most of the schools affected have submitted subsequent applications for remediation.
Minister McEntee said the department is committed to working with Drumfad National School in Kerrykeel and other schools impacted to find a solution.
Officials from the department's planning and building unit will visit the affected schools in the coming months.
The minister said a defective concrete block strategy will be developed that will ensure the issues are addressed following the planned visits.
She said the issue first came to the department's attention in 2021 when several schools applied for funding under the Emergency Works Scheme (EWS) to conduct testing.
She said the EWS remains available to schools to deal with any immediate emergency situations.
Sinn Féin Deputies Pearse Doherty and Pádraig Mac Lochlainn welcomed the confirmation from the minister.
Mr Mac Lochlainn said this is the first time the Government has formally committed to developing a strategy for schools affected by defective blocks.
Both TDs visited Drumfad National School in the Fanad Peninsula earlier this week.
Mr Mac Lochlainn described the school’s situation as "completely unacceptable".
"The situation there - and in a growing number of schools across Donegal - is completely unacceptable," he said.
He added: "For too long, the Government focused only on private homes while our schools - the centre of our communities - were left to fend for themselves through piecemeal emergency works.
"This confirmation, in response to our parliamentary question, is welcome but a strategy to address the issue is long overdue."
Mr Doherty said the Department of Education and Youth has now admitted that the presence of defective blocks in school buildings is a serious issue, with 16 schools in Co Donegal already applying for funding for testing or remediation.
He said: "We welcome the fact that officials will now visit affected schools and that a national strategy will be developed, but I am yet to be convinced that Government will treat this matter with the urgency required.
"This issue needs to be addressed with the department visiting schools in the coming days rather than months.
"Any strategy must also include addressing such buildings as community centres and childcare facilities, of which there are also many affected by defective blocks across Donegal."
