Vol. 540 No. 1
517 Mr. Perry asked the Minister for Education and Science the measures he has in place to allocate funding for the provision of electrical hand dryers in all toilets as part of the refurbishment and extension at Ransboro national school, County Sligo; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that hand towels are now laundered by parents on a rota basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20143/01]
The professional and technical staff of my Department's building unit strongly advise against the installation of electric hand dryers in primary schools. Their position is grounded primarily on concerns in relation to hygiene particularly if the dryers for any reason do not operate at the correct temperature. Because hand dryers have a high wattage there is also the issue of the operating costs that a board of management would have to face on an ongoing basis.
The position taken by my Department on this matter is a considered and balanced one in the interests first and foremost of children and also the boards of management who must ultimately manage the day-to-day operating costs of schools.
Question No. 518 answered with Question No. 504.
