Written Answers Nos. 122-141
122. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Education when she will publish her Department’s review with the Department of Transport of the school-bus allocation system, given that parents are now trying to decide which schools their children should apply for to be based on the school-bus service; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4821/23]
View answer123. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Education if she will publish interim reports on the review of the school-bus allocation system; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4822/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 122 and 123 together.
The School Transport Scheme is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department of Education. In the current school year over 147,900 children, including over 18,000 children with special educational needs, are transported on a daily basis to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country.
In addition, school transport scheme services are being provided in the current school year for over 3,800 children who have arrived to Ireland from Ukraine.
The total cost of the scheme in 2022 was €332.2m.
Children are eligible for transport at primary level where they reside not less than 3.2 kilometres from and are attending their nearest national school, and at post primary level where they reside not less than 4.8 kilometres from and are attending their nearest post primary school/education centre as determined by the department/Bus Éireann, having regard to ethos and language.
A review of the School Transport Scheme commenced in February 2021. The review is being conducted with a view to examining the current scheme, its broader effectiveness and sustainability, and to ensure that it serves students and their families adequately.
While work on the review was impacted somewhat by the challenges of the pandemic, the impact of the current conflict in Ukraine, and by the increased demand for the scheme in summer 2022 due to fees being waived, it is anticipated that the review will be completed shortly with recommendations on the future operation of the Department’s School Transport Scheme. Once approved by Government it is planned that the review will be published.
Planning for the operation of the school transport scheme for the 2023/24 is expected to be completed shortly. Bus Éireann will advertise the details of the 2023/2024 school year process through their website and social media platforms. Details will also be published on the Department’s website and, in line with normal practice, will also be communicated to Oireachtas Members.
124. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Education her Department’s plans to address the current shortage of places in secondary schools in north Kildare and to build the capacity of same in the longer-term; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4823/23]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, for school planning purposes, the Department of Education divides the country into 314 school planning areas and uses a Geographical Information System (GIS) to anticipate school place demand. Information from a range of sources, including Child Benefit Data, school enrolment data and information on residential development activity is used for this purpose. Additionally, Project Ireland 2040 population and housing targets inform the Department’s projections of school place requirements.
Having considered the projected requirements in each school planning area, the Department then makes an assessment of the existing capacity within that particular area and its ability to meet any increased demand.
Where data indicates that additional provision is required at primary or post primary level, the delivery of such additional provision is dependent on the particular circumstances of each case and may be provided through either one, or a combination of, the following:
- Utilising existing unused capacity within a school or schools,
- Extending the capacity of a school or schools,
- Provision of a new school or schools.
The Department's projections of post primary school place requirements in North Kildare show an anticipated continued growth in enrolments in the short to medium-term.
While the Department is aware of increasing pressures and demand for additional school places in North Kildare, it is important to note that where enrolment pressures arise, it may not be as a result of lack of accommodation but may be driven by the following factors:
- Duplication of applications – where pupils have applied for a place to a number of schools in the area
- School of choice – where pupils can’t get a place in their preferred school while there are places in other schools in the town or area.
- Some towns or areas have single sex schools and while places are available in the school they are not available to all pupils
- External draw – that is, pupils coming from outside the local area
The Department is working to establish the true extent of any capacity issues across school planning areas, including those in the North Kildare area and is currently in ongoing discussions with the relevant school patrons and authorities.
This close engagement will allow the Department to identify at an early stage particular capacity requirements for the forthcoming years which may necessitate further action to that already in train including, where required, the provision of modular accommodation solutions
The Department is also progressing a number of building projects in North Kildare under the National Development.
The requirement, however, for additional school places is kept under on-going review. Additionally, the Department will continue to liaise with the Local Authority in respect of its review of Development Plans with a view to identifying any potential long-term school accommodation requirements.
The Department will continue to work with schools and patrons to ensure that there is appropriate provision for all students in North Kildare for the 2023/24 school year.
125. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Education if she will meet with a group (details supplied) to discuss redeployment of teachers within the second level system. [4839/23]
View answerThe teacher redeployment arrangements are reviewed annually by my Department involving the education stakeholders, including teacher unions and management bodies. As part of the review, the Education Stakeholders can raise issues or concerns with the Department in relation to the operation of the redeployment process generally. It is open to members of the school community to liaise with their representative bodies on any matters of concern they may have.
The review in respect of the 2023/24 redeployment process took place last December and it would not be appropriate to meet the group referred to by the Deputy outside of the normal review arrangements agreed with the Education Stakeholders.
The pilot voluntary redeployment scheme will operate in counties Longford, Westmeath, Laois and Offaly for 2023/24 school year. The criteria for the allocation of teachers to schools including the redeployment arrangements for the 2023/24 school year is available on the Department's website.
Teachers who apply under the pilot voluntary scheme and are not facilitated with a transfer continue to have the option of applying for posts in their preferred location that are advertised in the normal manner.
126. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Education the amount spent by her Department on online advertising in each of the past ten years and to date in 2023, in tabular form; if she will provide details in relation to this spending; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4848/23]
View answerThe Department’s total spending on advertising for the period in question is outlined below. The Department does not have a breakdown for online advertising available. The Department has not incurred any expenditure on advertising to date in 2023.
The Department has recently engaged in a number of advertising campaigns including the Teaching Transforms campaign which has been ongoing since late 2018 to promote the teaching profession and encourage post-primary and third level students to apply for programmes of initial teacher education. The various phases of the campaign have used a range of channels, including digital (online video and social media), radio (traditional and digital) and print (national papers and college press).
The Department has also engaged in public information campaigns in respect of school reopening, to ensure widespread awareness of public health advice in the context of Covid-19. It has also undertaken targeted advertising and awareness campaigns for students involved in both the 2020 Calculated Grades process and the 2021 Leaving Certificate and Accredited Grades process to ensure awareness of the changed procedures under these models, necessitated by the pandemic.
|
Year |
Amount |
|
2022 |
€364,842.68 |
|
2021 |
€541,369.05 |
|
2020 |
€626,401.73 |
|
2019 |
€317,357.60 |
|
2018 |
€387,296.00 |
|
2017 |
€199,599.77 |
|
2016 |
€398,194.29 |
|
2015 |
€142,655.71 |
|
2014 |
€139,607.29 |
|
2013 |
€368,508.01 |
127. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Education if her attention has been drawn to any instances where the public relations unit and or press office of her Department undertook to create social media accounts under false names, which were operated in order to further the messaging or communications of her Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4866/23]
View answerThe Communications Unit of my Department, encompassing its press office, operates social media accounts in the Department's name, to inform stakeholders and the public about important matters relating to the Department's policies and its work.
It has not created any social media accounts under false names, for any purpose.
128. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Education her views on the key recommendations of the report on the summer programme 2023 (details supplied), published by the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Autism in November 2022; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4882/23]
View answerThe 2022 Summer Programme built on the expanded programmes of the previous two years. Since 2021, all primary and post-primary schools were given the opportunity to run at least one scheme under the programme.
The Department has listened carefully to feedback from stakeholders and is working to make the scheme as inclusive as possible and available to as many eligible students as possible, whilst retaining a focus on children and young people with the most complex needs. The programme that has been provided in recent years was developed following extensive engagement with education stakeholders, parents, and disability advocacy groups. For instance, in 2022, to support more schools to participate, greater flexibility was given to schools, additional supports were provided to alleviate administration burdens, and staff who took part were paid earlier than ever before. The programme has gone from strength to strength, with over 42,000 pupils benefitting from a programme either in the school-based or home-based strands. I am however conscious that parents want this programme to be available in more schools in 2023.
An additional €20 million funding has been approved under Budget ‘23 to continue the expanded summer programme for next year, bringing the total to €40 million for 2023. This earlier announcement of funding has been secured will allow schools several extra months to plan for the programme this year.
My Department has conducted a review of the Summer Programme to ensure that we can build on the success of recent years. As part of this review my Department took a proactive approach and developed this years programme based on this review, other forms of feedback including engagement with the parents, advocacy groups, schools and management bodies with a view to encouraging more schools to participate in 2023. Department officials met with the principals of Special Schools in meetings around the country. They also met with officials from Malta on two occasions to utilise some of the learnings from their system in terms of the planning and organisation. There will be particular focus on Special Schools in 2023, with additional supports being made available to them to run a programme.
The actions and terms for the 2023 programme are being implemented following this comprehensive review and engagement with education partners and stakeholders since last summer, including the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Autism. I very much welcome the contribution made by the Joint Committee to ensuring we have the best possible summer programme available. The recommendations of the November 2022 report by the Joint Committee are very much aligned to the outcome of the review and developments for this year's Summer Programme.
A major focus in 2023 is that those children with the most complex needs, especially in special schools, should have access to a school-based summer programme, additional mechanism to support this including:-
- additional funding and resources to ease the burden of administration associated with the programme
- access to additional workforce availability
- new leadership role in schools, from a much earlier stage in the school year, to support planning and preparation
The details of the Summer Programme are due to be announced next week. Information and guidance will be circulated to schools, and published on www.gov.ie/summerprogramme.
129. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Education the status of the applications made for bus tickets for children (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4884/23]
View answerThe School Transport Scheme is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department of Education. In the current school year over 147,900 children, including over 18,000 children with special educational needs, are transported on a daily basis to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country.
In addition, school transport scheme services are being provided in the current school year for over 3,800 children who have arrived to Ireland from Ukraine.
The total cost of the scheme in 2022 was €332.2m.
Children are eligible for transport at post primary level where they reside not less than 4.8 kilometres from and are attending their nearest school/education centre as determined by the Department/Bus Éireann, having regard to ethos and language.
In line with normal practice, all eligible children who completed the application and ticket registration process on time for the 2022/2023 school year are accommodated on school transport services where such services are in operation.
In addition, pending completion of the outcome of the full review of the School Transport Scheme, Temporary Alleviation Measures (TAM) at post-primary level have been continued for the 2022/2023 school year. Under these measures, once in operation, transport is provided for post-primary pupils who are eligible for transport to their nearest school and are attending their second nearest school and who applied by the 29th April and registered for a ticket by the 29th July.
Because of the nature of concessionary transport for non-eligible children and the priority of providing places for eligible children, there may be an excess of demand over supply for concessionary places, in these cases Bus Éireann will allocate tickets for spare seats using an agreed selection process.
Bus Éireann has advised that the pupil referred to by the Deputy the pupil is not eligible for transport as they are attending their second closest school. Bus Éireann confirmed that a ticket request was received for this pupil after the deadline of 29 July 2022, the pupil was unsuccessful in obtaining a concessionary seat for the 2022/23 school year as capacity on the service is full to capacity.
130. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Education if she will consider providing funding to students (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4895/23]
View answerThe current requirements for Gaeltacht Learning Periods (GLPs) for primary Initial Teacher Education (ITE) programmes takes the form of 2 x 2 week placements, which are outlined in the Teaching Council’s Céim: Standards for Initial Teacher Education.
Budget 2020 provided for the re-instatement of the grant to cover the full cost of the Gaeltacht Learning Periods (GLPs) for undergraduate and post-graduate students in State-funded primary ITE programmes, with effect from the 2020/2021 academic year. The grant was previously funded by my Department up to the 2012/2013 academic year, when it was ceased due to financial constraints. The rate of student grant for 2023 has been set at an average of €815. This will cover the cost of the undertaking the fortnightly course in 2023. This grant will be made available for undergraduate and post-graduate students in State-funded primary Initial Teacher Education (ITE) programmes. As the organisation mentioned is an independent private provider of ITE programmes, the re-introduced grant was not made available to students on their primary ITE programmes. This is in line with normal practice for other grant payments.
131. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Education the status of an application made for bus tickets for a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4912/23]
View answerThe School Transport Scheme is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department of Education. In the current school year over 147,900 children, including over 18,000 children with special educational needs, are transported on a daily basis to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country.
In addition, school transport scheme services are being provided in the current school year for over 3,800 children who have arrived to Ireland from Ukraine.
The total cost of the scheme in 2022 was €332.2m.
Children are eligible for transport at post primary level where they reside not less than 4.8 kilometres from and are attending their nearest school/education centre as determined by the Department/Bus Éireann, having regard to ethos and language.
In line with normal practice, all eligible children who completed the application and ticket registration process on time for the 2022/2023 school year are now accommodated on school transport services where such services are in operation.
In addition, pending completion of the outcome of the full review of the School Transport Scheme, Temporary Alleviation Measures (TAM) at post-primary level have been continued for the 2022/2023 school year. Under these measures, where it is in operation, transport is provided for post-primary pupils who are eligible for transport to their nearest school and are attending their second nearest school and who applied by the 29th April and registered for a ticket by the 29th July.
Because of the nature of concessionary transport for non-eligible children and the priority of providing places for eligible children, there may be an excess of demand over supply for concessionary places, in these cases Bus Éireann will allocate tickets for spare seats using an agreed selection process.
Bus Éireann has advised that the pupil referred to by the Deputy is not eligible for school transport. Bus Éireann further advised the pupil was unsuccessful in obtaining a concessionary seat for the 2022/23 school year as the service is full to capacity.
132. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Education if there are any plans for her Department to recognise gender identity on school management information systems, given that the Central Statistics Office is planning on recognising gender identity other than male and female in the 2027 census; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4964/23]
View answerEquity and inclusivity are fundamental principles at the heart of our education system. These are enshrined in the Mission of the Department and the Statement of Strategy published last year. The aim of my Department is to develop a system that welcomes and meaningfully engages all students and strengthens a culture of inclusion. The Programme for Government includes a number of commitments regarding gender recognition relating to 16 and 17 year olds and also in relation to children under 16.
The Gender Recognition Act 2015 provides that a person can apply for a Gender Recognition Certificate in order to have their preferred gender recognised by the State.
Adults over the age of 18 can apply for a gender recognition certificate. Individuals aged 16 and 17 currently require parental consent and a court order in order to obtain a Gender Recognition Certificate. In line with the commitments in the Programme for Government, the Government is planning to make this less onerous by extending self-declaration to this age group, with counselling supports for these families. Draft heads of a bill to implement this recommendation have been approved by Government and are being sent for pre legislative scrutiny. In relation to the particular vulnerability and complexities around the under-16 age group, tendering for research has been commissioned by the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth (DCEDIY) on behalf of it and the Department of Social Protection to outline the mechanisms in use in other countries and to provide practical advice in relation to recognition for this age group. This is in line with the commitment in the Programme for Government.
Given these considerations, CSO did not include either topic on the Census 2022 questionnaire. However, in recognising the importance of developing its capacity to collect data on these topics, it has introduced new questions on both gender identity and sexual orientation in its General Household Survey. It will monitor the collection of data on these topics with a view to including appropriate questions in future censuses, including the 2027 census. This Department will monitor these developments closely in the context of its own data collection and school information systems.
133. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Education if her Department has any plans to dispose of a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4975/23]
View answerI wish to advise the school in question, with Roll Number 16816N, closed in August 2019.
When a school building becomes vacant as a result of closure/amalgamation/replacement, the future use of the old building is in the first instance a matter for the property owner. When the property owner applies to the Minister for permission to either use the property for community purposes or to sell it, my Department makes an assessment as to whether the property is required for future educational use. If it is concluded that the property has no viable future educational use, my
Department permits that it may be used for community or other purposes or may be sold.
I wish to advise the Deputy that the former school that he refers to is in the ownership of Diocese of Clonfert. Any proposal for the disposal of the school is a matter for the patron and owner of the property to consider.
134. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Education the status of a situation regarding Ukrainian children who cannot attend school until Bus Éireann sanctions travel insurance (details supplied) in relation to the school they are attending. [4998/23]
View answerThe School Transport Scheme is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department of Education. In the current school year over 147,900 children, including over 18,000 children with special educational needs, are transported on a daily basis to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country.
In addition, school transport scheme services are being provided in the current school year for over 3,800 children who have arrived to Ireland from Ukraine.
The total cost of the scheme in 2022 was €332.2m.
Bus Éireann have advised that the pupils referred to by the Deputy commenced on transport on 09/01/2023.
Bus Éireann local office has spoken to the Realt co-ordinator and they are unaware of any issues on the service.
135. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Education the reason for the delay in releasing the minor works grant to schools; when an announcement will be made; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4999/23]
View answerUnder Project Ireland 2040, the education sector will receive a total of approximately €4.4 billion capital investment over the period 2021-2025. This significant investment allows us to move forward with certainty on our ambitious plans and deliver high quality building projects, with a real focus on sustainability, for school communities across Ireland.
This investment will build on the good progress being made on adding capacity to cater for demographic changes and provision for children with special educational needs. This investment will also facilitate an increased focus on the modernisation of existing school stock and help transition the school system for an era of net zero carbon by 2050.
The Department recognises the importance of the Minor Works Grant to primary schools. The funding provides good flexibility at local level to assist schools to manage and undertake works that support the operation of the school.
A total of €280 million in Minor Works Grants and Enhanced Minor Works Grants has been allocated to schools between 2018 and 2022.
In recent years my Department’s approach has been to pay the minor works grant to primary schools about 9 months in advance of the start of the following school year. This is done in order to facilitate a better lead in period for schools to plan any maintenance or minor works during the summer period. The Minor Works Grant for primary schools for the current school year 2022-2023 was paid in December 2021. My Department is currently examining needs for the 2023/24 school year as part of its overall assessment of our work programme and priorities and resources available to us.
My Department has a strong pipeline of projects for delivery under the school building programme involving approximately 300 projects at construction and in excess of 1,000 projects at the various stages of appraisal and design.
During 2022, 180 school building projects were delivered and a further 300 continued in construction at the start of 2023 - most of which will be completed in 2023. There was also accelerated delivery of modular accommodation to facilitate additional capacity in special classes and special schools to cater for over 900 children with additional needs.
In addition, there was necessary refurbishment and maintenance in nearly 1,000 schools under the Multi-annual Summer Works Scheme and the Emergency Works Scheme.
136. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Education if she could provide an update on the plans for the site recently acquired at the school (details supplied); if the site will be used to expand play areas for the children in the school; if part of the site will be used for additional classrooms including an ASD class; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5051/23]
View answerThe major building project for the school referred to by the Deputy will be delivered under my Department's ADAPT Programme.
The ADAPT Programme uses a professional external Project Manager to co-ordinate and drive the Design Team to achieve the best possible timeframe for the project through the stages of Architectural Planning to Tender and Construction.
The Brief for this project is the development of a 32 Classroom Primary School with 4 classrooms for pupils with Special Educational Needs at St. Patrick’s National School, Diswellstown Lawn, Castleknock, Dublin 15 including Pyrite Remediation, the Refurbishment of Existing Buildings and the construction of a New Build Extension and all associated site works, including associated play areas.
The Project Manager has recently visited the school to outline the process for design team appointment and the progression of the project through architectural planning and construction. Site surveys have been carried out at the school site during January 2023.
The tender competition for the appointment of the Design Team (Consultant Architect, Civil Structural Engineer, Mechanical & Electrical Engineer, Quantity Surveyor and PSDP) will shortly be put in train.
An Invitation to Tender is expected to issue to the potential Design Team Consultants in mid Quarter 1 2023, and the estimated timeframe for completion of the appointment process is mid Quarter 2 2023, subject to no issues arising.
The Project Manager will shortly be in contact to update the Principal and Patron of the School regarding the procurement process and these appointments.
Upon appointment, the Design Team will proceed to the initial stage of Architectural Planning, Stage 1 – Preliminary Design, where the Design Team will assess the site and prepare their initial sketch schemes.
A preferred design option, including the scope and extent of works to be carried out will be established during this early stage, to be then further detailed and developed and fully cost-planned, before seeking statutory approvals, including planning permission.
Until the project design is at a stage where statutory approvals, planning permission, etc are secured by the Design Team, it will not be possible to provide an estimated onsite date.
137. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Education if she will provide an update on the pyrite remedial works at the school (details supplied); when they are due to commence; if they will involve the full removal of all pyrite from the foundations of the school; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5052/23]
View answerA major building project for the school referred to by the Deputy is to be delivered under my Department's ADAPT Programme.
The ADAPT Programme uses a professional external Project Manager to co-ordinate and drive the Design Team to achieve the best possible timeframe for the project through the stages of Architectural Planning to Tender and Construction.
The Brief for this project is the development of a 32 Classroom Primary School with 4 classrooms for pupils with Special Educational Needs including Pyrite Remediation works, the Refurbishment of Existing Buildings and the construction of a New Build Extension and all associated site works, including associated play areas.
The school have received funding under my Department's Emergency Works Scheme to repair damage to fire doors and their surrounds which has been caused by Pyrite.
The tender competition for the appointment of the Design Team (Consultant Architect, Civil Structural Engineer, Mechanical & Electrical Engineer, Quantity Surveyor and PSDP) will shortly be put in train.
An Invitation to Tender is expected to issue to the potential Design Team Consultants in mid Quarter 1 2023, and the estimated timeframe for completion of the appointment process is mid Quarter 2 2023, subject to no issues arising.
Upon appointment, the Design Team will proceed to the initial stage of Architectural Planning, Stage 1 – Preliminary Design, where the Design Team will assess the site and prepare their initial sketch schemes.
A preferred design option, including the scope and extent of all works to be carried out will be established during this early stage, to be then further detailed and developed and fully cost-planned, before seeking statutory approvals, including planning permission.
138. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Education if the extension to a school (details supplied) which her Department previously committed to building, is proceeding; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5053/23]
View answerI can confirm to the Deputy, that my Department is not in receipt of an application for funding under the Additional School Accommodation (ASA) Scheme, from the school in question.
It is open to the school authorities to submit an application for assessment and my officials have sent the necessary forms and information to the school authorities to enable them to do so.
The purpose of the ASA scheme is to ensure that essential mainstream classroom and Special Education Needs (SEN) accommodation is available to cater for pupils enrolled each year, where the need cannot be met by the school’s existing accommodation.
139. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Education the number of outstanding applications to an organisation (details supplied); the number of outstanding appeals; when it is expected that all applications and appeals will be finalised; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5060/23]
View answer140. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Education when the legislation to formally wind up an organisation (details supplied) will be introduced; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5061/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 139 and 140 together.
As the Deputy will be aware, the organisation referred to by the Deputy was established in 2013 to disburse the contributions of €110m (€111.38m including interest) provided by the religious congregations following the publication of the Ryan Report, by funding approved services to support the needs of former residents who, as children, suffered abuse in relevant institutions.
All outstanding applications were finalised by that organisation by March 2021. All outstanding appeals before the independent Appeals Officer were also decided by early 2021.
A General Scheme providing for the formal dissolution of the organisation has been prepared and it is my intention to progress this legislation shortly.
141. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Education if she received correspondence (details supplied) from this Deputy in which representations were made on behalf of a school in County Donegal; when a reply will issue; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5110/23]
View answerI wish to advise the deputy that the issue of road safety measures outside the vested site areas of schools on public roads, such as road signage, traffic calming measures etc., is a matter, for the relevant Local Authority. Local Authorities have the power to decide on road safety measures outside schools to ensure that measures are in place to protect the safety of local school children. My Department has no function in this matter.
In general, individual school authorities are responsible, in the first instance, for ensuring the safety and welfare of children and others in their care.
