Defective Building Materials

Thursday, 14 May 2026

Ceisteanna (326)

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn

Ceist:

326. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she aware that the ongoing crisis relating to defective concrete blocks continues to have a profound impact on students and staff across Donegal ETB schools;if she will request her Department to accede to the request from Donegal ETB for an additional guidance counsellor allocation for a defined period; expansion of the home school community liaison (HSCL) provision; enhanced financial supports for school uniforms and student participation; increased access to after-school study and meals provision; additional supports for extracurricular and out-of-school activities; expanded access to National Educational Psychological Service; strengthened School Completion Programme supports; enhanced staff well-being and counselling supports; and additional supports for school leadership teams managing these challenges. [36501/26]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Education and Youth

My Department has engaged in recent years with Donegal ETB in relation to its ongoing work to ensure appropriate supports are provided to staff and students who are impacted by the MICA issue in the county.

My Department has in place a wide range of supports, which can be used by the ETB to assist it in supporting students and staff. Meetings have been held with the ETB to outline these various supports and resources; and how they may be accessed and best utilised to help address the needs of students and staff concerned.

Follow-on information and updates on the key supports available have also been provided to the ETB and my Department will continue to liaise with the ETB as needed in this regard.