Health and Safety Regulations.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 18 May 2004

Tuesday, 18 May 2004

Ceisteanna (246)

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

260 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Science further to his reply to previous parliamentary questions, wherein he has indicated that responsibility for compliance with health and safety requirements is a matter for the school authorities, the way in which school authorities are expected to be compliant when school buildings are structurally unsound or lacking in adequate space to enable compliance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14655/04]

Freagraí scríofa

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

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 €11 million to deal with emergency works in primary and post-primary schools, including emergency health and safety works, during 2004.