Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 497: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the procedures in place to ensure electrical safety in primary and post-primary schools here; if regular inspections are carried out by appropriate contractors; and the body responsible for arranging these inspections. [43878/08]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Individual school authorities are responsible, in the first instance, for ensuring the safety and welfare of children and others in their care. In this regard, in accordance with the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 1989, it is the responsibility of school management authorities to have a safety statement in place in their schools. Schools are obliged to identify possible hazards, assess the risks to health and safety and to put appropriate safeguards in place.

Provision is built into the School Building Programme to enable schools to address urgent health and safety problems. Primary schools are given an annual allocation, currently amounting to €5,500 plus €18.50 per pupil under the grant scheme for minor works which can be used entirely at the discretion of school management to address basic health and safety issues relating to school infrastructure.

In addition, the Summer Works Scheme was introduced during 2004. This Scheme provides capital grants for improvement works at primary and post-primary schools. Since it was introduced, over 3,000 projects, costing in excess of €300 million have been completed. While it was not possible to have a Summer Works Scheme in 2008, there will be a Scheme in 2009.

My Department also sets aside a contingency sum each year to deal with emergency works in primary and post-primary schools, including health and safety works.