OPW: Office of Public Works
Oifig na nOibreacha Poiblí
Asbestos Removal & Reinstatement Unit
The year 2007 (latest figures available) saw the most extensive asbestos removal programme carried out to date. In all approximately 650 individual contracts were placed involving a wide range of asbestos containing materials such as asbestos cement roof sheets and slates, ceiling and floor tiles, boiler seals and flues, pipe lagging etc. Contracts also included re-instatement works, sometimes involving the complete re-roofing of buildings and ancillary work, Mechanical and Electrical installations and other major refurbishments following the removal of asbestos.
Total expenditure on asbestos removal and reinstatement in schools, Garda stations, Government offices and other public buildings in 2007 amounted to €42.5m. the year 2007 also saw the completion of the asbestos surveys of approximately 4,100 schools, and the placing of the contract for completion of the asbestos and radon surveys of 800 Garda buildings.
During 2007 the unit proceeded with the preparation of procedural documentation for ISO accreditation and the Visibility Accounts System. A value for money and quality of service audit, relating to consultants and contractors involved on the programme was initiated.