Vol. 577 No. 1
143 Mr. Stanton asked the Minister for Education and Science the steps he has taken to ensure a safe and healthy environment in woodwork rooms by the provision of dust extracting facilities; the amount made available; his further plans in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30544/03]
Initially, My Department commissioned a pilot study in a number of postprimary schools to establish, by means of scientific evaluation, the effectiveness of both centralised dust extract systems and an integral extraction system in woodwork rooms. In June 2001 my Department issued a circular letter to the management authorities of second level schools advising them of the procedure to follow as regards the installation of dust extraction systems. The process of installing dust extraction systems and the associated process of upgrading machinery in woodwork rooms in second level schools is the responsibility of the school's management authorities.
The programme to control airborne dust levels in woodwork rooms commenced in 2002. This programme is ongoing and will continue in 2004. I intend to publish details of the 2004 school building programme by early January at the latest. The programme will clarify the level of finance available for remediation programmes, including dust extraction, during 2004.
