It is difficult to be precise on the number of schools that have taken firm decisions not to implement the stay safe programme. The most recent reports available to my Department suggest that nationally less than 5 per cent of schools are currently in that category.
The number that may ultimately refuse to implement the programme may be gauged best from the returns for the Eastern Health Board area. The programme was piloted in that area and has operated longest there. In this area, the number of schools still reluctant to implement the programme has now fallen to 10 or 1.6 per cent of all schools in the area. In time I would expect the national figures to correspond to the experience in the Eastern Health Board area.