SOME 200 students are set to be displaced in the coming weeks after the immediate closure of part of a school building in Co Dublin was ordered.

Ardgillan Community College in Balbriggan have been forced to shut the building “immediately” after “significant structural issues” were discovered in the fabric on Friday.

Some 100 transition year students have already been told to stay at home this week while temporary accommodation is being organised for the additional 200 affected.

The school, which has 910 pupils, is one of 31 schools where fire safety audits were being carried out.

Engineers inspecting Ardgillan discovered the structural issues after opening up sections of walls in two classrooms.

18 classrooms are understood to be affected in total.

A statement from the Dublin & Dun Laoghaire Education & Training Board read: “Ardgillan Community College, Balbriggan, is a 1000 pupil capacity school under the patronage of DDLETB with a current enrolment of 910 pupils.

“Phase 1 of the school building was built in 2009, as a design and build contract completed on behalf of the Department of Education and Skills, followed by phase 2 in 2015.

“A fire safety assessment of Phase 1 was carried out and necessary works are currently being undertaken to remediate issues discovered during the assessment.

“During the course of these works, additional issues of a structural nature were identified.

“Opening up (examination of the building behind plaster work) took place in two classrooms on Friday and a consultant engineer on behalf of DDLETB discovered significant structural issues. More opening up will be required as a follow up.

“Having considered the engineer’s advice and in the interests of the health and safety of the students and staff of the school, DDLETB in consultation with the Department of Education and Skills and school management, has made the decision to close phase 1 of the school building, effective immediately.

“School management is now making immediate arrangements to accommodate up to 200 students who will be discommoded and the school will communicate the details of the arrangements to parents/guardians once finalised.

“Staff and parents have been informed by the school management and will be kept updated in this regard.

“DDLETB and the School Management have emphasised that their absolute priority at all times is the health and safety of students and staff and the above measure is therefore considered appropriate.

“Phase 2 of the building remains unaffected.”