Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 16 Dec 1997

Vol. 485 No. 2

Written Answers. - Excessive Noise Levels.

Brian O'Shea

Question:

377 Mr. O'Shea asked the Minister for Education and Science his views on the fact that the hearing of young people is being damaged by exposure to excessive noise levels coming from amplification equipment used at discos or having the volume too high on radios; if he will introduce programmes in the schools alerting young people to the dangers involved in this regard either through his Department or in conjunction with the Department of Health and Children; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23052/97]

Minister for Education and Science (Mr. Martin)

I am aware that exposure to excessive noise levels can damage the hearing capacity of young people.

The National Council for Curriculum and Assessment — NCCA — is currently engaged in reviewing the whole of the primary curriculum. This review will be completed by the end of the current school year. One aspect of the new curriculum will be social, personal and health education and will incorporate strands such as care of the body and personal safety. These strands will include the teaching of children about risks such as those referred to by the Deputy.

At second level the issues of hearing and noise levels are covered within the curriculum in a number of subject areas such as physics, biology and construction studies, and may be covered in subjects such as social personal and health education and home economics — consumer education. The NCCA has been preparing revised and new syllabi and guidelines for the teaching of these subjects within the curriculum and the Deputy's concerns will be communicated to that body.