Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 25 May 1999

Vol. 505 No. 3

Written Answers. - Weight of Schoolbags.

Róisín Shortall

Question:

290 Ms Shortall asked the Minister for Education and Science if his attention has been drawn to the concerns of parents in relation to the weight of schoolbags; his views on whether there is a risk to children's health as a result of this weight; the measures, if any, his Department is taking to address this problem; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13786/99]

Minister for Education and Science (Mr. Martin)

I am aware of the concerns expressed by parents and other groups about the weight of schoolbags and I share those concerns. With this in mind, I set up a working group in Autumn 1997 to examine the potential problems caused by the weight of heavy schoolbags and the working group reported to me last year.

The report of the working group outlines a number of recommendations which have implications, not only for my Department, but also for schools, parents and publishers. One of the main recommendations relates to the need to heighten the awareness of the potential health hazards posed by excessively heavy schoolbags.

In this regard my Department, at primary and post-primary levels, has initiated an awareness raising campaign by disseminating the report, with an accompanying circular, to all primary and post-primary schools. Furthermore, information leaflets and posters have also been distributed to all schools which highlight the potential health hazard of heavy schoolbags and outline a range of local measures that can be adopted in order to alleviate the problem.

It is a matter for each school to choose those measures which would be most suitable to its needs.