Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 27 Feb 2003

Vol. 562 No. 3

Written Answers - Health and Safety Regulations.

Paudge Connolly

Ceist:

117 Mr. Connolly asked the Minister for Education and Science if he envisages being personally committed to prison on the basis that he bears ultimate responsibility as Minister, for the widespread breaches of the health and safety Act, contained in the extensive list of schools requiring urgent renovation or rebuilding unveiled by his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5741/03]

Minister for Education and Science (Mr. N. Dempsey)

Individual school authorities are responsible, in the first instance, for ensuring the safety and welfare of children and others in their care.

In accordance with the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 1989 it is the responsibility of school management authorities to have a safety statement in place in their schools. Schools are obliged to identify possible hazards, assess the risks to health and safety and put appropriate safeguards in place.

In relation to conditions at schools generally, I should point out that all primary schools are given an annual allocation of €3,809 plus €12.70 per pupil under the grant scheme for minor works which can be used entirely at the discretion of school management to address basic health and safety issues relating to the school infrastructure.

The 2003 capital programme has now been published and full details in relation to individual projects are available on my Department's website at www.education.ie.

The budgetary allocation for 2004 and subsequent years will determine the rate of progress on projects that could not be included in this year's programme.