Eoin Ryan
Ceist:412 Mr. E. Ryan asked the Minister for Education and Science the progress, if any, made in initiating the recommendations in the Report of the Working Group on the Weight of Schoolbags. [18371/98]
Written Answers. - Weight of Schoolbags.
I have recently received the report of a working group which I set up last autumn to examine the potential problems caused by the weight of heavy schoolbags. The group's report outlines a number of recommendations which have implications, not only for my Department, but also for schools, parents and publishers. One of the main recommendations relates to the need to heighten the awareness of the potential health hazards posed by excessively heavy schoolbags.
In this regard my Department is in the process of initiating an awareness raising campaign by arranging for the dissemination of the report, with an accompanying circular, to all primary and post-primary schools. Furthermore, information leaflets and posters will be distributed to all schools highlighting the potential problems and outlining a range of local measures that can be adopted in order to alleviate them.
The Deputy will appreciate that the report has only recently been made available to me, but I can confirm that all aspects of the report will be considered within my Department and appropriate action taken, where necessary.