Brendan Griffin (Kerry South, Fine Gael)
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Question 168: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills his views on a matter (details supplied) regarding asbestos; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13624/12]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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In accordance with the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act, individual school authorities are responsible in the first instance, for ensuring the safety and welfare of children and others in their care. My Department set-aside funding each year to address Health and Safety issues including the removal of damaged asbestos materials from primary and post-primary schools.

Schools that were identified by the Office of Public Works as having a level of asbestos that was deemed to be a Health and Safety issue have had the asbestos removed under my Department's Remediation Programme. If a school authority has a concern in relation to damaged asbestos materials in their school building it is open to that school to submit an application for funding to the Building Unit of my Department. All applications will be assessed on a case by case basis.