A structural remediation programme has been launched on schools constructed by WBS across Ireland.

These works will take place at 22 schools that were involved in the structural safety issues reported last autumn.

Structural remediation will commence in 14 schools initially, when they close for the summer holidays.

This work will roll over to the remaining eight schools. In the event that work in some schools is not completed by the end of August, contractors will carry out the remaining work outside of school hours to prevent disruption.

The planned fire safety remediation work will continue in all 22 schools involved in alignment with the structural remediation programme.

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Announcing the programme, Education Minister Joe McHugh said: "Safety remains our number one priority. We targeted the summer holidays to get as much of the structural work done as we can, so that the precautionary measures can be removed from the schools as soon as the permanent works are completed."

The Minister added: "I am fully aware of the difficulties that this issue has caused for principals, teachers, parents and pupils as they go about their day to day business.

"I am glad that we have now reached the stage where we can implement works that will enable the schools to return to a normal school environment as quickly as possible.

"I want to sincerely thank all the schools' patrons, the boards of management, principals and entire school communities as we work our way through this complex issue."

John Sisk & Son will carry out the work, which will be overseen by Arup Engineers.

Detailed structural investigations will also be carried out on another 17 schools built by WBS but which did not require initial precautionary measures. These investigations will take place during the summer in parallel with the permanent remediation works at the other 22 schools. This is a follow-on from the initial assessments in those schools carried out in October/November 2018.