Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 2 May 2013
83. Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Education and Skills the health and safety guidelines that pertain in respect of supervision of primary school children; if there is a pupil-adult ratio regarding same; the number of students per campus that is permissible per adult; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20891/13]
View answerUnder the provisions of the Education Act 1998, the board of management is the body charged with the direct governance of a school. Schools are required to take all reasonable precautions to ensure the safety of pupils and welfare of their pupils and it is the responsibility of each individual managerial authority to arrange for appropriate supervision of its pupils.
My Department has not issued specific guidelines on requirements for supervision of pupils and acknowledges that the degree of supervision required in any given school will depend on the school's particular circumstances and on factors such as the age and maturity of the pupils concerned, the nature and layout of the accommodation and play areas available etc.
In accordance with the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 1989, it is the responsibility of individual school management authorities to have a safety statement in place in their schools. The Statement should identify potential hazards, assess the risks to health and safety and put appropriate provision in place to safeguard the safety and health of employees and pupils.
