Department of Education to enter into conversation with Donegal's DCB schools
Hildegarde Naughton has informed Pat the Cope Gallagher that the first steps will begin next week, when the Department of Education will contact Donegal’s 16 schools with defective concrete blocks
Department of Education officials will contact the 16 primary schools in Donegal affected by defective concrete blocks over the coming week.
Deputy Pat the Cope Gallagher, Fianna Fáil, has confirmed that Minister for Education and Youth, Hildegarde Naughton has informed him that officials from her department will begin the process. These engagements will outline the next steps, including an initial on-site visit.
Officials in the Minister’s department have been developing a DCB strategy throughout 2026.
At a meeting of the Donegal Education and Training Board (ETB) in March, Sinn Fein’s Cllr Albert Doherty called for the Education Minister to visit Donegal to discuss the 16 schools, which have not yet been publicly named.
This strategy will take a programme-based approach, establishing a clear pathway for the Donegal schools currently awaiting remediation.
As the next phase progresses, the department will work closely with Donegal ETB, which will act as a local delivery partner. This structured, programmatic model is considered essential given the specialist expertise required and will ensure that feedback and learning from all affected schools are captured and applied effectively.
Deputy Gallagher has expressed his hope that inspections will begin as soon as possible.
Sinn Féin TDs Pearse Doherty and Padraig Mac Lochlainn visited Drumfad National School in the Fanad peninsula last November.
The reply to their Parliamentary Question confirmed that Department officials would visit affected schools in the coming months.
Teachta Mac Lochlainn said at the time:“This is the first time that the Government has formally committed to developing a strategy for our schools affected by defective blocks.
"When myself and Pearse visited Drumfad National School, we saw first-hand the impact defective blocks are having on children, teachers and parents. The situation there - and in a growing number of schools across Donegal - is completely unacceptable.
"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.
"We raised this directly with the Minister and have previously demanded on many occasions that her Department take a coordinated approach to identify, assess and repair affected school buildings.”
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