Vol. 574 No. 2
126 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Science the action he has taken or proposes to take to address the issue of primary and second level schools deemed to be deficient in terms of compliance with health and safety standards arising from a lack of proper accommodation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26555/03]
280 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of primary and post-primary schools throughout the country deemed to be in breach of health and safety standards arising from a lack of proper accommodation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26882/03]
281 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Science the extent to which he has addressed the issue of primary and second level schools which are deficient in accommodation to the extent of being in breach of health and safety standards; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26883/03]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 126, 280 and 281 together.
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.
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. In addition, my Department has set aside a contingency sum of €8.7 million at primary level and €2 million at post-primary level to deal with emergency works, including emergency health and safety works, during 2003.
Responsibility for the maintenance of schools is also a matter for the managerial authorities of primary and voluntary secondary schools, which are privately owned. Per capita grants towards the operating costs of primary and voluntary secondary schools may be used for this purpose. Per capita grants have been increased significantly in recent years.
I am on record as acknowledging that the significant levels of investment made in school buildings in recent years need to be maintained going forward if the goal of eliminating sub-standard accommodation is to be achieved. To that end and in the context of the Estimates process, I am seeking to put in place a multi-annual capital funding envelope for the next four to five years.
I consider that the provision of such an envelope for the school building programme will enable my Department to provide greater clarity for all education partners concerning the progress of projects within the programme.
