Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 20 June 2024
130. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education if all options are being examined with a view to ensuring safe access and egress for children attending a school (details supplied); if the provisions already in place meet the highest standards; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26683/24]
Amharc ar fhreagra131. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education if she is satisfied that health and safety provisions are adequately observed at a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26684/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 130 and 131 together.
I wish to advise the Deputy that the issue of road safety measures outside the vested site areas of schools on public roads, such as road crossings, road signage, traffic calming measures etc., is a matter , for the relevant Local Authority.
Local Authorities have the power to decide on road safety measures outside schools to ensure that measures are in place to protect the safety of local school children. My Department has no function in this matter.
In general, individual school authorities are responsible, in the first instance, for ensuring the safety and welfare of children and others in their care.
My Department will examine existing traffic management and safety at a school grounds where we are looking a wider building project or as part of a planning application for an extension at a school. It is also open for a school authority to look for funding to improve traffic safety on school grounds through applying under a future summer works scheme.
In relation to the health and safety concerns mentioned by the Deputy, the Emergency Works Scheme is available to provide for unforeseen emergencies that impact on school buildings. An emergency is a situation which poses an immediate risk to health, life, property or the environment, which is sudden, unforeseen and requires immediate action and, in the case of a school, if not corrected would prevent the school or part thereof from opening. The scheme does so by ensuring the availability of funding for urgent works to those schools that are in need of resources as a result of an emergency situation.
Applications for funding under the scheme must serve one or both of these purposes and meet the criteria for funding as set out in the relevant circular, 0068/2020, and its appendices. All relevant and supporting information in relation to such an Emergency Works Grant Scheme application must be provided in order to support a claim for emergency grant aid.
