Written answers

Thursday, 22 March 2007

Department of Education and Science

School Health and Safety

5:00 pm

Photo of Willie PenroseWillie Penrose (Westmeath, Labour)
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Question 100: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the support her Department gives to schools and parents' associations to encourage more children to walk to school; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10729/07]

Photo of Mary HanafinMary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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The question of whether children walk to and from school is a matter for decision by their parents. However, it is clear that walking to school can make an important contribution to children's health and to developing their sense of road safety as well as decreasing traffic congestion around school routes. Many local authorities develop schemes to encourage walking to school, through initiatives such as the organisation of a 'walking bus', the provision of school traffic wardens, the organisation of Walk to School Weeks, and the development of 'park and stride' initiatives.

The Social Personal and Health Education (SPHE) Programme in all primary schools includes a specific 'safety and protection' strand which is designed to develop in children an increasing sense of personal responsibility for their own safety and that of others. The learning objectives of this strand specifically include such issues as safety strategies for crossing the road, using the bus or being a pedestrian, crossing the road with an adult, and being familiar with the rules for travelling in a car or bus, or on a bicycle.

SPHE is also a mandatory junior cycle subject at second-level. The SPHE curriculum at both primary level and in the junior cycle at second-level stresses the importance of daily exercise and a healthy diet to maintaining health and well being. The 'personal safety' strand of the junior cycle programme includes such issues as road safety and is supported by a range of curriculum materials. In addition, a road safety programme for use in Transition Year is currently being developed by the Road Safety Authority in collaboration with my Department, the NCCA and the Second Level Support Service.

On 6th February, the Road Safety Authority launched the RSA MACE "Safe to School" campaign at primary level, which is aimed at helping primary school children learn effective road safety lessons. The first part of this campaign is about walking to school safely and as part of this initiative educational packs and DVDs have been distributed to all primary schools and a Walking to School Guide has been produced. A dedicated website, www.safetoschool.ie, has also been launched as part of the campaign.

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