Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 27 Feb 2003

Vol. 562 No. 3

Written Answers - Health and Safety Regulations.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

142 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Science if his attention has been drawn to the fact that numerous schools at primary and post primary level at various locations throughout the country do not presently conform to health and safety standards in respect of accommodation and facilities; his proposals to meet such deficiencies in 2003; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6048/03]

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

143 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Science if his attention has been drawn to the serious deficiency in respect of school buildings at various locations throughout the country; his proposals to respond to the problem in 2003; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6049/03]

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

147 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Science his plans to meet health and safety requirements in respect of school buildings and other facilities at both primary and post-primary level in all schools throughout the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6053/03]

Minister for Education and Science (Mr. N. Dempsey)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 142, 143 and 147 together.

Individual school authorities are responsible, in the first instance, for ensuring the safety and welfare of children and others in their care.

In accordance with the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 1989, it is the responsibility of school management authorities to have a safety statement in place in their schools. Schools are obliged to identify possible hazards, assess the risks to health and safety and put appropriate safeguards in place.

In relation to conditions at schools generally, I should point out that all primary schools are given an annual allocation of €3,809 plus €12.70 per pupil under the grant scheme for minor works which can be used entirely at the discretion of school management to address basic health and safety issues relating to the school infrastructure.

The 2003 capital programme has now been published and full details in relation to individual projects are available on my Department's website at www.education.ie. The budgetary allocation for 2004 and subsequent years will determine the rate of progress on projects that could not be included in this year's programme.