Written answers

Thursday, 1 November 2007

Department of Education and Science

Road Safety

5:00 pm

Photo of Shane McEnteeShane McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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Question 146: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the grants or supports available to schools to undertake road safety measures outside schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26723/07]

Photo of Mary HanafinMary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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The issue of road safety measures outside the vested site areas of schools, would be a matter that should be raised in the first instance with the relevant Local Authority.

Local Authorities have the power to decide on road safety measures outside schools and should ensure that measures are in place to protect the safety of local school children.

Individual school authorities are responsible in the first instance for health and safety issues within the school site. Primary school authorities may use their minor works grant to deal with urgent issues. In November last I increased funding for the minor works grant by 44% on the previous year and around €27m was paid out to primary schools throughout the country to enable thousands of small scale works to be completed without the need to interact with my Department.

Other avenues for grant-aid from my Department to provide improved health and safety measures include the Summer Works Scheme and Emergency Works Grants. In 2007, of the funding available to improve infrastructure in primary and post-primary schools, close to €120million is allocated to the Summer Works Scheme, involving over 1,100 individual projects at 965 schools.

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