Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 7 March 2023
359. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Education the minimum required toilet facility guidelines for a student for secondary schools from her Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10877/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department has an ongoing policy of updating and improving its suite of School Design Guides (SDGs) for schools with a view to offering better guidance to school authorities and Design Teams. The update of design guidance documents is based on evidence based research, collaboration, codes of practice and international best practice.
SDG-02-06, which is only one document of a suite of Design Guidance, describes the design parameters to be considered by the Design Team in the formulation of their design response in relation to Sanitary Facilities specifically. The document describes the methods for calculating the number of WCs within a school, the design parameters for each self-contained WC Space, where and how these are to be organised to maximise passive supervision, prevent discrimination and minimise the risk of bullying in our schools. It also details the robustness and privacy requirements of each private WC space. The design guidance is written to respond to the wide ranging requirements of a multitude of stakeholder voices, and intended to ensure that the school environment is designed to be flexible and responsive to each school’s individual requirements. Education environments are to be designed to promote equality, to be flexible, inclusive and adaptable to changing needs where these particular needs arise. These TDG documents relate to the provision of new school buildings and are available on my Department's website.
The extent of sanitary provision in existing schools may vary depending on the school layout.
