asked the Minister for Education whether he met a deputation from the Schools Committee, Safety First Association of Ireland, on 23rd March, 1949, in connection with the protection of school children from the dangers of present-day traffic and the methods of instructing them as to how to avoid accidents, the appointment of civil wardens for the shepherding of children, etc.; and, if so, whether he will now indicate if he is going to take steps to carry out the wishes of this association and thereby help to avoid many accidents to school children.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Traffic and Dangers for School Children.
I received a deputation from the Schools Committee of the Safety First Association of Ireland in March, 1949, and discussed with them a number of measures which the association desired to have introduced for the protection of school children from the dangers of present-day traffic.
Several circulars have been issued by the Department to managers and teachers of national schools in regard to this matter in recent years. Subsequent to my conference with the Safety First Association I had a further circular issued in which managers were requested to impress upon the teaching staffs of their schools the necessity for exercising strict supervision over the pupils so as to ensure their leaving the school premises in a quiet and orderly manner and to prevent them running out in such a way as to expose themselves to risk of accident.
I should like to make it clear that as Minister for Education my powers in the matter of securing the safety of school children outside the school are limited. I am, however, prepared to co-operate to the fullest possible extent within my powers with the association and the various authorities concerned to secure the safety of school children in coming to and leaving schools. Following the discussion of the 23rd March, 1949, I arranged that a representative of the Department would act on the Schools Committee of the Safety First Association.