Minister for Education and Skills Joe McHugh has confirmed that precautionary measures at classrooms in Tyrrelstown Educate Together National School, St Luke’s National School Tyrrelstown and Gaelscoil Eiscir Riada, Lucan have been completed.

“I want to send a message of thanks to the principals, teachers, support staff, pupils and parents at the three schools where work has been completed to ensure classrooms can reopen,” Minister McHugh said.

“Construction teams have been working over evenings and weekends in recent weeks to ensure the necessary works are completed.

“This morning I visited Tyrrelstown ETNS and met Vice-Principal Emma McCabe, and also St Luke’s NS where I met Principal Vivienne Bourke, to see first-hand how the schools were running and to hear their plans to bring all pupils back to their original classrooms.

“Everyone involved with the schools, the staff, pupils, parents and all those who work with the Boards of Management and the wider school community deserve huge credit for the support and determination they have displayed to minimise disruption.”

Minister McHugh added: “I have also visited Gaelscoil Eiscir Riada which was able to reopen all classrooms sooner than the other two schools.”

Precautionary safety measures were taken at 22 schools around the country after a programme of structural assessments was carried out on schools constructed by Western Building Systems.

Following the safety measures carried out in recent weeks Tyrrelstown ETNS, St Luke’s NS and Gaelscoil Eiscir Riada have all been facilitated to reopen classrooms on all floors.

The table beneath sets out the list of schools at which external and/or internal precautionary measures were required.

Minister McHugh said: “The next phase of the Department’s work to address structural issues is now being planned. Our aim is to maximise periods of time when schools are closed, for example during the summer holiday period, to progress any structural improvements that need to be carried out.

“In the meantime, the Department will also progress the planned independent review of the Design and Build programme.”

View the full list here.

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