Vol. 241 No. 13
asked the Minister for Education if, in view of the danger of accidents to children attending school on dark mornings last winter arising from the retention of summer time throughout the year, he will state whether any action is being taken to avoid the recurrence of such a situation this winter.
97.
asked the Minister for Education if he will arrange for schools to open one hour later in the mornings during the winter months.
With our permission, a Cheann Chomhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 96 and 97 together.
I would refer the Deputies to the reply which I gave to a similar question on 11th July, 1969. The position is fully set out therein.
In view of our experience last winter and in view of the danger of accidents occurring, has the Department taken any steps to issue luminous discs? It will be recalled that last winter we had supermarkets and other establishments competing with each other as to who would issue the most attractive disc. Does the Minister not consider that the Department should issue some official luminous disc in order to avoid accidents during the coming winter?
The armbands were issued last year by the Safety First Association and they will do it this year, too.
Apart from the Safety First Association issuing them, we had competition among different stores, each having their own ideas as to the publicity which could be gained by the issuing of discs. Will the Minister assure the House that there is some issue of discs by his Department or the Safety First Association to ensure that discs will be distributed to all school-going children?
The Minister must be aware of the anxiety of parents about this problem. Could he state whether he has received any representations about later opening times in the schools?
I have not received many complaints.
Would the Minister ensure that the school buses which provide transport for children are suitably illuminated in order to avoid the danger or risks of accidents?
That would not be my responsibility. It is the responsibility of CIE. I am sure they would take cognisance of the Deputy's request.
Could the Minister say how many discs were issued last year and what proportion of children such an issue would cover?
The Safety First Association issued 130,000 armbands free of charge to school children and will continue the scheme this year.
That would represent one in four of the school children and would leave three-quarters of the children unprotected. Would the Minister look into the matter further to see that there is closer to 100 per cent coverage of the children?
