Brendan Griffin (Kerry South, Fine Gael)
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Question 155: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills his views on a most serious health and safety matter relating to schools (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26007/11]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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When a school authority receives funding from my Department to carry out refurbishment works to their school building, they are advised of their responsibilities as Client for the project under the Safety Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005 and the Safety Health and Welfare at Work (Construction) Regulations, Statutory Instrument (S.I.) 504 of 2006.

In particular school authorities are advised that they must receive written confirmation from all Consultant(s) appointed by them to assist with the delivery of their approved project that they are aware of the contents of the School's Safety File and the School's Asbestos Register. The school management authority is also required to provide written confirmation that their consultants has checked the school safety file and has taken appropriate action in relation to the removal asbestos before my Department will issue any payments in respect of the approved works. In relation to the removal of asbestos school authorities are required to engage contractors named on the OPW list of specialist asbestos removal contractors.

In addition school authorities are informed that guidelines documents on "Asbestos Management in Schools" and the "Code of Practice for Management of Asbestos Material in Schools" are available on my Department website www.education.ie.