Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 27 September 2023
83. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Education following harassment, threats, intimidation and assaults directed towards librarians, health care workers, staff in bookshops, activists and elected politicians, what steps she is taking to ensure the safety of teachers and students from such threats; what steps she is talking to prepare schools to recognise and respond to such threats; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41894/23]
View answerUnder the provisions of the Education Act, 1998 the Board of Management is the body charged with the direct governance of a school on behalf of the Patron. The principal is responsible for the day-to-day management of the school as set out in sections 22 and 23 of the Education Act. 1998
The body which has statutory responsibility for ensuring that health and safety requirements are met by all employers, including schools, is the Health and Safety Authority (HSA). The Authority also provides information and advice to organisations, including schools, to assist them in ensuring that their responsibilities in respect of health and safety in the workplace are met.The Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005 sets out the responsibilities on individual school Boards of management 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.The HSA has published resources specifically for schools to support them in managing health and safety in the school environment including the selection and appointment of a safety representative. It also provides a number of online training courses specifically for the school sector. Further details on the advice, resources and training courses available from the HSA can be obtained from the HSA's website www.hsa.ie.
