Ivan Yates
Question:48 Mr. Yates asked the Minister for Education and Science if he has made a budget available to schools to develop a locker system as recommended in the report on the weight of schoolbags. [20033/99]
Written Answers. - School Facilities.
The report of the working group on the potential problems caused by the weight of heavy schoolbags 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.
In relation to book storage the report recommended that my Department should examine the feasibility of providing for appropriate storage facilities in future specifications for furniture manufacturers. Accordingly, the building unit of my Department will examine the possibility of incorporating storage facilities in the provision of furniture in the future. The report further recommended that my Department should continue to afford schools the option of book storage in the case of new second level schools, which continues to be the case. There was, however, no specific recommendation relating to provision for lockers.