Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 13 February 2024
102. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Education is she and her Department will commit to an enhanced safety audit of schools in vulnerable and high traffic areas; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6346/24]
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 crossings, 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.
My Department will examine existing traffic management and safety at a school grounds where we are looking a wider building project or as part of a planning application for an extension at a school. It is also open for a school authority to look for funding to improve traffic safety on school grounds through applying under a future summer works scheme.
