Two schools due to reopen on Thursday after remedial work

Two schools which have been closed for the past fortnight due to serious concerns over their structural safety will not reopen until Thursday amid fears they still pose a risk to more than 1,200 children.

Education Minister Joe McHugh confirmed the latest delay last night as he admitted the State will have to pick up the bill for urgent repair works on 23 buildings affected by the crisis before any legal action is taken.