A block of classrooms at a Belfast primary school has been deemed unsafe for use and closed after weak concrete was discovered in it.
The Education Department confirmed that so called Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete, or RACC, had been discovered in the eight classroom block of Cairnshill Primary School.
It has been closed although the rest of the building remains open to staff and pupils.
550 children attend the school.
It is the first time RAAC has been found in a school in Northern Ireland.
RAAC is mostly found in precast concrete panels commonly used in construction between the 1950s and the mid-90s and often forms part of flat rooves and was less frequently used in walls and floors.
It is a lightweight "bubbly" form of concrete prone to crumble.
In September the Education Department commissioned a structural survey of 120 schools in Northern Ireland after concerns were raised about the presence of RAAC in schools in Britain.
Around 170 schools and colleges there have been affected.
The permanent secretary of the Education Department Dr Mark Browne visited the school today where he met staff and representatives of the board of governors.
"The safety of our teachers, staff and pupils in our schools is our highest priority. We fully understand that this news will be concerning for staff, parents/carers and the wider school community.
"The Department and the Education Authority are working closely with the school to ensure those classes affected can return as early as possible next week.
"The Department will provide funding for all remedial works required and we are committed to ensuring that there will be as little as disruption as possible for the school and parents," he said.
South Belfast MP Claire Hanna said every precaution should be taken to protect pupils and staff.
"This is an evolving situation and in order to protect the wellbeing of children, teachers and other staff, eight classrooms have been closed and evacuated as a precaution.
"This is exactly the right approach as we learn more about the risks to these sites. I will continue to liaise with the school and the Education Authority as more information becomes available and a plan is put in place to manage this situation.
"We need to deal with this at pace to ensure that there is minimal interruption to the education of these kids. There will undoubtedly be disruption to the lives and schedules of everyone involved, I would appeal to all those affected to work with the school and with the rest of us - we all want this to be dealt with safely and swiftly in the interests of children, parents and staff."
