Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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Question 196: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if her attention has been drawn to the fact that four children died in workplaces in 2008; if she has had discussions with the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment on this issue; her plans to initiate a programme that will ensure children are safe in the workplace; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25872/09]

Barry Andrews (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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I have consulted with my colleague, Tánaiste Mary Coughlan in the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment regarding this matter. The Health and Safety Authority, which operates under the auspices of the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, and is responsible for the administration and enforcement of occupational health and safety legislation in Ireland recently published its 2008 annual report. The report points out that the number of work-related deaths reported in 2008 was 57 compared to 67 in 2007. Of the 6 non-worker fatalities in 2008, 4 of these were children and 3 of these occurred in the agriculture area.

This is a matter of concern and I know that the Authority is working to raise awareness of farm safety issues and has encouraged the establishment of appropriate training within the sector to help develop a sustainable health and safety culture in agriculture. Safety of children on farms received particular attention in 2008 during the Authority's inspection and promotional events. Specifically, the Authority:

Distributed a safety booklet 'Stay Safe on the Farm with Jessy', to all national schools and libraries in the country, to raise awareness of the dangers for children on farms.

Developed and updated guidance on child safety, safety for the elderly and the safe use of All Terrain Vehicles (ATVs)

Ran a slogan competition for national school children on farm safety in the Kilkenny, Kildare and Carlow catchments.

In 2009, as well as continuing to focus inspections in agriculture on the issues of child safety, the Authority is also working to mainstream health and safety at all levels of education, from early-learning through to third level. In this regard, it has made a number of submissions to the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NCCA) about different aspects of the syllabus including the agricultural science syllabus (Senior Cycle).