Brian Hayes (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 959: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if a no running policy exists in some schools where children are not entitled to run in a school yard; her views in respect of this measure; if the issue has been brought to her attention; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1383/08]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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In accordance with the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005, it is the responsibility of individual school management authorities to have a safety statement in place in their schools. It is also a matter for school authorities to determine school policies, taking into account any health and safety risks to children running in the school yard.

It is my view that it is important for children to avail of the opportunity to exercise at school and that children should be able to run in the school yard unless there are very compelling local reasons for the school to prohibit such activity.