Health and Safety Issues.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 19 January 2010

Tuesday, 19 January 2010

Questions (1012)

Ruairí Quinn

Question:

1082 Deputy Ruairí Quinn asked the Minister for Education and Science if there has been a change in the responsibilities of boards of managements in relation to the discretion exercised as to whether a school opens or not; if the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act of 2005 still tasks boards of management with the authority to ensure pupil and staff health and safety; the legal or statutory provision which enabled him to order that all schools close; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1422/10]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Science (Deputy Batt O’Keeffe)

While Boards of Management have the legal responsibility for the management of schools, I took a view that given the exceptionally difficult and widespread weather conditions that were being forecasted at that time, a central and early decision was required in relation to school closures. In making that decision, my overriding concern was about child safety and providing certainty to parents about school closures.

This decision was a reasonable and pragmatic decision based on the weather forecast at that time and in a scenario where up to 70% of schools had closed in any event.

The worst of the adverse weather was confined to southern areas and an unexpected thaw developed notably in Dublin. Based on these changed circumstances I decided that the normal arrangements whereby schools decide to open or close based on local circumstances should be re-instated from Tuesday 12th January.