Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 30 March 2004
319 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Science if, in relation to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country which are deficient in accommodation and structures, thereby contributing to non-compliance with health and safety standards, he intends to take initiatives to address these issues immediately; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10097/04]
Amharc ar fhreagraIndividual 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.
As regards school buildings, the school building programme for 2004 that is published on my Department's website represents a further major step in progressing the Government's consistent commitment since 1997 to deal with school accommodation needs. The total allocation for school buildings in 2004 is
€387 million, which enables in excess of 200 projects to go to construction during 2004 providing new school buildings, extensions to and or refurbishment of existing school buildings, accommodation for children with special needs as well as many more smaller scale projects such as access for all, roof replacements and mechanical and electrical improvements. I have also extended the small and rural and the permanent accommodation initiatives and I have put in place a new devolved summer works scheme. This is a clear signal of the Government's commitment to education and to the modernisation of school buildings.
