Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 3 Jun 1998

Vol. 491 No. 6

Written Answers. - Health and Safety in Schools.

David Stanton

Ceist:

317 Mr. Stanton asked the Minister for Education and Science if, further to Parliamentary Question No. 294 of 28 April 1998 and Nos. 258 and 259 of 12 May 1998, his Department and schools under his remit are complying with the Safety in Industry Act, 1955 and 1980 and the Safety Health and Welfare at Work (Chemical Agents) Regulations, 1994 and with the advice given by the Health and Safety Authority with regard to the control of dust generated by the machining of MDF dust in woodwork rooms in schools; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13047/98]

Minister for Education and Science (Mr. Martin)

Responsibility for matters relating to health and safety and the disposal of chemicals at schools rests in the first instance with the individual school authorities. To assist schools in discharging their responsibilities, the Department issued a circular to the management authority of all second level schools in February, 1998 on the disposal of unwanted chemicals (CL7/98). In addition, the Department has issued a code of practice on safety in school science to all secondlevel schools.

In relation to dust extraction, the building unit of my Department provides grant aid towards the purchase of extraction systems, when such assistance is requested by the school authorities. In order to determine the optimum specifications for a dust extraction system at schools, it is intended to initiate a pilot study, the results of which will be used to determine general policy in this area.