Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 29 November 2017
129. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Education and Skills if there are guidelines or regulations in place setting out the standards for cleanliness and hygiene which primary schools must meet, for example around toilet facilities and eating areas for school pupils; if so, if these guidelines are publicly available on his Department's website; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50809/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the provisions of the Education Act, 1998 the Board of Management is responsible for the day to day running of a school. Matters such as cleanliness and hygiene in schools should be addressed by Boards of Management in accordance with relevant health and safety guidelines.
The body which has statutory responsibility for ensuring that health and safety requirements are met by all employers, including schools, is the Health and Safety Authority (HSA). The Authority also provides information and advice to organisations, including schools, to assist them in ensuring that their responsibilities in respect of health and safety in the workplace are met.
The Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005 sets out the responsibilities on individual school management authorities to have a safety statement in place in their schools. The Statement should identify potential hazards, assess the risks to health and safety and put appropriate provision in place to safeguard the safety and health of employees and pupils.
The HSA has published a number of resources specifically for schools to support them in managing health and safety in the school environment. It also provides a number of online training courses specifically for the school sector. Further details on the advice, resources and training courses available from the HSA can be obtained from the HSA's website www.hsa.ie.
