Brendan Griffin (Kerry, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

821. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to devise new universal road safety signs, similar to the children symbol signs on approaches to schools, to indicate the presence of crèche, child care and preschool facilities; if these extra measures are warranted given the higher road safety risk involving young children and toddlers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5760/16]

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The Traffic Signs Manual published by my Department provides guidance and details of the traffic signs which may be used at or near schools, including their layout and symbols, the circumstances in which the signs may be used and the rules for positioning them.

Traffic Sign W 141 'School Ahead' to which the Deputy refers is used to warn of the likelihood of encountering children on the road where crossing to a school or a playground and could also be used to indicate the presence of a crèche.

While I share the Deputy's concern for our youngest citizens with regard to road safety I believe the current signage options in this regard are sufficient and have no proposals to devise any new signs.

Finally, may I draw the Deputy's attention to the Road Safety Authority's road safety resource pack 'Simon and Friends' available to Montessori Schools and Crèches and 'Beep Beep Day' which occurs during Road Safety week, both of which are initiatives targeted at preschool children.