John Browne
Ceist:15 Mr. Browne (Carlow-Kilkenny) asked the Minister for Education if she has any plans to readjust old style school desks so as to prevent backache starting in childhood.
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - School Furniture.
I understand that the wrong wording had been put down in relation to this question but I hope my answer will take this into account.
Furniture is supplied to national schools as per Department design which has been undertaken following the widest consultation with schools' authorities, especially the teachers. We are always reappraising our designs in the light of experience.
At the request of the INTO the Department convened a meeting on furniture in April 1990 where teachers and schools' authorities from all over the country were represented. Present also were representatives from the furniture manufacturers and the Department's professional and administrative staff. The whole question of schools' furniture was discussed in detail.
At this meeting the Department gave assurances that grants would be available for the replacement or restoration where possible of old furniture. I understand that the Deputy's question favoured the retention of the old furniture and that you assume that if this is retained children's backs will be straighter and stronger.
(Carlow-Kilkenny): To clear the air, I do not want the old furniture retained but the old furniture had a seven degree tilt on the work top. That was always faulted by teachers because pens tended to roll off. Having spent a week in hospital getting physiotherapy for a back ailment, I am now an expert on backs. The experts who straightened me out told me that one of the difficulties in relation to back formation is that children cannot sit up straight at school. All of us, TDs, school-children and journalists suffer from bending over flat desks. The Minister should consider a tilt on the seat.
There is a tilt on all our seats. That is the problem.
(Carlow-Kilkenny): Will the Minister consider getting expert advice? It is a serious matter if children starting off in life cannot sit up straight. Their back formation will be wrong. Half of the people of the country have back problems. If Pearse called it the murder machine, we would not want——
We should have a brief, succinct and relevant question.
(Carlow-Kilkenny): Will the Minister consider getting medical advice?
Question No. 16.
I would like to answer Deputy Browne. I am responsible for a lot but the Deputy should not blame me for the back problems of Ireland. I take the Deputy's point. We had a meeting with different people to discuss the furniture and what was needed in schools. I suppose we all go through life with a bit of a tilt one way or the other. If I can get expert advice without assuming responsibility for the state of backs in the country, I will get it and will incorporate it in our ideas.