Vol. 403 No. 4
26 Mr. Ryan asked the Minister for Education her views on the amount of taxpayers' money being spent, on a daily basis, repairing schools because of vandalism of school property; the action she proposes to take on this issue; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
I share the Deputy's concern at the level of vandalism at schools over which neither my Department nor the schools' authorities have any control. The making good of damage caused by vandalism is a matter for the individual school's authorities in consultation with their insurers.
When a school project is being planned provision is made for any security measures considered necessary e.g., perimeter fencing and intruder alarms and these are grant-aided in the normal way wherever warranted. Grant assistance may also be given in the case of existing schools if works are requested to combat vandalism where the proposed works are found to be justified.
