Raac: No unsafe concrete found in sample survey of 30 NI schools

No collapse-prone concrete has been found in initial surveys of 30 schools in Northern Ireland.

The Department of Education (DE) confirmed the news in a letter to principals.

The department has asked the Education Authority (EA) to survey 120 schools for reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (Raac).

More than 170 schools and colleges in England have been found to contain Raac.

This has led to some having to close parts of their buildings.

Raac is a lightweight material that was used mostly in flat roofing - but also in floors and walls - between the 1950s and 1990s.

It was a cheaper alternative to standard concrete and had a lifespan of about 30 years.

The Health and Safety Executive in England has warned that Raac is now beyond its lifespan and may "collapse with little or no notice".

In Northern Ireland, 120 schools were subsequently earmarked as a priority for a Raac survey on the basis of building fabric, age and type of construction.

The department's director of infrastructure Suzanne Kingon has now written to principals to update them on that work.

"The first 30 visual surveys of schools have now been carried out, by appropriately qualified engineers, and I am pleased to advise that no RAAC has been identified as being present," the letter from the DE said.

"As a follow-up, and to provide complete assurance at each site, further investigations of areas with more restricted access are being scheduled."

The department also said surveys of the rest of the 120 schools would "be completed rapidly over the next number of weeks".

It said it would provide an update on that work when it was completed.

Further education (FE) colleges have also been checking their campuses for Raac.

But it is unclear if Northern Ireland will receive extra money from the UK government to fix public buildings affected by the crumbling concrete.

Meanwhile, the department has also said it will provide an additional £5million of maintenance funding for special schools in 2023-24.

The money will be used for essential maintenance in Northern Ireland's 39 special schools for health and safety work including repairs to buildings, grounds and other facilities.