Clean-up bill for 'deadly' asbestos hits €160m
THE State has spent almost €160m removing asbestos from state buildings -- including Leinster House.
Figures obtained by the Irish Independent show the nine-year project recorded its greatest spend last year at €42.5m.
However, a spokesman for the Office of Public Works (OPW) said the bulk of the costs has gone on replacement rather than the removal and safe disposal of the potentially deadly substance.
They have cleared asbestos from over 4,000 schools in the past nine years, averaging 450 schools a year. The majority of schools had the substance in their ceiling tiles because of building practices in the 1970s.
"The problem is that it was so widely used because it is fire, chemical and water resistant," the spokesman said.
Asbestos was used in over 10,000 products worldwide but is dangerous for humans when it is in dust form. The OPW prioritises removal in buildings which are undergoing renovation.
"Sometimes, it's best if we leave it and 'manage' it. But if it's a danger we arrange to take it out by a specialist contractor.
"Our number one priority is to remove it from areas where it is likely to be interfered with. Lagging on pipes is a very high priority for us now."
The OPW also have to carry out a lot of work on schools which have the asbestos-laden ceiling tiles because new technology means wires are being put through the tiles. Drilling holes to take the wires turns the substance into the lethal dust form.
Most of the OPW expense goes on refurbishment, such as re-roofing, and they are now "winding up" the programme as the bulk of buildings have been dealt with.
Although the majority of the OPW's work has been carried out schools, they have also carried out works on other state buildings -- including their own.
In 2000, they removed asbestos from Leinster House when a new extension was being built.
"There are never any guarantees it's all gone," he said. "Demolition is the only way to be 100pc sure."
Meanwhile, it has emerged that the State has paid out just €217,000 on asbestos claims from members of the public.
And it is owed €2.5m from a series of failed asbestos-related claims by around 500 workers.
Figures show €217,000 was paid out for two "genuine" claims which were resolved in 2006.
A spokesman for the State Claims Agency (SCA) said they are continuing to work to recover the €2.5m from people who took cases against the Office of Public Works.
The workers claimed they had suffered psychological trauma due to fears they would suffer ill-health in the future following their exposure to asbestos. However, none had actually suffered any lung disease related to the deadly dust.
The workers were originally awarded compensation ranging from €62,000 to €76,000 in the High Court. But this award was successfully challenged by the State in the Supreme Court.
The SCA spokesman said: "We are vigorously pursuing costs in respect of all outstanding claims."
- Edel Kennedy
