Vol. 430 No. 3
39 Mr. L. Burke asked the Minister for Education the total number of schools which have been vandalised in the 12 month period at the latest date for which the figures are available; the total cost of the damage to the school authorities and to her Department; the steps, if any, which have been taken to cope with the problem; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
59 Mr. McGahon asked the Minister for Education the total number of schools which have been vandalised in the 12 month period at the latest date for which the figures are available; the total cost of the damage to the school authorities and to her Department; the steps, if any, which have been taken to cope with the problem; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
90 Mr. Flanagan asked the Minister for Education the total number of schools which have been vandalised in the 12 month period at the latest date for which the figures are available; the total cost of the damage to the school authorities and to her Department; the steps, if any, which have been taken to cope with the problem; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 39, 59 and 90 together. Information is not available on the number of schools damaged by vandalism or the cost of repairing such damage.
In the case of primary, secondary and vocational schools the cost of repairing damage from vandalism is borne by the schools' insurance and my Department is usually not provided with details. Community and comprehensive schools do not have commercial insurance and the repairs are funded by the Department. However, there are no specific figures available in respect of those schools for the costs arising directly from vandalism.
Security of school buildings is a matter for the school authorities in the first instance. As far as the Department is concerned, steps taken to combat vandalism include the installation of intruder alarms, provision of security lighting and perimeter fencing where the particular circumstances warrant such measures.
