Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 1 Dec 1999

Vol. 512 No. 1

Written Answers. - Weight of Schoolbags.

David Stanton

Question:

40 Mr. Stanton asked the Minister for Education and Science the findings of his study into the issue concerning the weight of school bags; the recommendations and action, if any, he has taken or will take as a result; the resources, if any, he has committed to deal with the issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25420/99]

Minister for Education and Science (Mr. Martin)

I set up a working group in autumn 1997 to examine the potential problems caused by the weight of heavy school bags. The working group presented its report to me in July 1998.

The group's report outlines a number of recommendations that 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 will 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 individual school to choose those measures that would be most suitable to its individual needs.

The report also 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 be examining 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.