Structural surveys to be carried out at NI schools over concrete collapse fears
More than 100 schools buildings in England have been ordered to close
Last updated 1st Sep 2023
Work is going to be carried out to find out if a certain type of concrete, that's prone to collapse, has been used in schools across Northern Ireland.
It's as more than 100 school buildings in England have been ordered to shut immediately because of safety concerns.
A spokesperson for the Northern Ireland's Department of Education said, “The Department of Education has commissioned the Education Authority to carry out structural surveys to ascertain the extent to which RAAC may be present in schools across Northern Ireland.”
“This work is being taken forward as a matter of urgency to ensure that any necessary mitigations are put in place promptly.”
“Schools will be contacted by the Education Authority as work progresses.”
The decision to close some school buildings in England comes just days before students return from their summer break.
Known as reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC), the dangerous material was used to construct schools, colleges, and other buildings between the Fifties and mid-Seventies in the UK, but has since been found to be at risk of collapse.