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.
Where asbestos requiring removal is detected, either as a result of a survey conducted by the Office of Public Works or otherwise, arrangements are made to undertake the work in accordance with the relevant health and safety legislation by my Department and the Office of Public Works.
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 budgetary allocation for 2004 and subsequent years will determine the rate of progress on applications and further projects that could not be included in the 2003 capital programme.
