ALL 16 Donegal schools with emergency defective concrete block submissions could be publicly named within weeks.
Minister for Education and Youth Helen McEntee confirmed last November the number of affected schools.
At a meeting of the Donegal Education and Training Board (ETB) in March past, Sinn Fein Cllr Albert Doherty called for Education Minister Hildegarde Naughton to visit Donegal to discuss the 16 schools.
It was revealed at the ETB’s latest meeting, which was held in Letterkenny on Monday past, that Minister Naughton has not replied to the invitation.
After the meeting, Cllr Doherty told the Donegal News: “The 16 schools have been identified and they are engaged with the Department of Education.
“The individual schools have not been named. I have asked that the names and locations of all the schools should be forwarded to all members of the ETB.”
He added: “Most of the schools affected by defective concrete blocks (DCB) are primary schools that have had extensions built.
“I know that it was last June since one school in Inishowen was contacted by the Department on this issue. It needs to be prioritised.
“After all these years, we are still dealing with this. The whole issue of DCB needs to be widened to include all schools and community buildings.
“I will highlight this again at the next ECB meeting.”
That is scheduled for Monday, June 29.
Cllr Albert Doherty
Others at the meeting on Monday past included Dail TDs like Charlie McConalogue, who is Minister of State at the Department of Culture, Communications and Sport, deputy Pat the Cope Gallagher, deputy Padraig Mac Lochlainn, and deputy Charles Ward.
Minister McEntee revealed the number of 16 schools last November in response to a parliamentary question submitted by Donegal TD Pearse Doherty
Education Department officials are due to visit the 16 affected schools in the coming months and a defective concrete block strategy is to be developed to ensure all issues are addressed following the visits.
Drumfad National School in Kerrykeel is one of the 16 schools.
Deputy Doherty said outside the school: “I am yet to be convinced that Government will treat this matter with the urgency required.”