Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 6 May 2026
305. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Education and Youth the number of new school building developments delivered by a company (details supplied) that have required remediation work after the initial project was completed; and the total cost to her Department of these remediation works. [31837/26]
View answerI wish to advise the Deputy that there were 40 schools delivered by Western Building Systems between 2003 and 2018 which were found to have serious defects.
All 40 schools have had the highest priority fire safety issues addressed and have had the structural issues with the external walls addressed on a permanent or interim basis. My Department’s approach is to deal with remaining building code compliance issues etc. as part of a wider and planned remediation/refurbishment/retrofit programme. It is envisioned that these works will be dealt with as “summer works” type projects.
My Department continues to liaise with the Chief State Solicitor’s Office and the Attorney General’s Office on the on-going legal process related to all 40 schools built by the contractor involved. Given that these matters are currently before the Courts, it is not appropriate to comment on costs.
