COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

Monday, December 12, 2016

MOTION NO.25

MOTION: Councillor B. Bonner

This Council contends that the school warden service should not be withdrawn from any crossing point in our County unless it can be clearly demonstrated that there is no health and safety risk to children in doing so.  Could a report be presented on the crossing points where service has been withdrawn and outline the rationale for same.

REPORT:

It is not known if the motion refers to permanent closures of crossings or situations where cover cannot be provided on a short term basis.

In the case of closing permanent crossings, this would be done when the number of cars or children has decreased below the warrant for a crossing or where new facilities have been provided that result in the presence of a warden being unnecessary.

In instances where a crossing is left without a school warden on a short term basis, this is a result of us not having sufficient relief wardens to cover all crossings.

We have a 1-4 priority rating attached to all our crossings and in instances where there is a shortage of available wardens the higher rated priority crossings take precedence.

We are currently having issues with recruiting new school wardens and have held competitions twice in the last 12months. We are also looking to recruit for a third time in the coming weeks which is unprecedented frequency within this section.

With regards to the health and safety risk of the children, it is impossible for the council to completely remove the health and safety risk to children on our roads but our intention is to lower it to an acceptable level. We take a risk management approach to crossing closures.

It is not known if the motion refers to permanent closures of crossings or situations where cover cannot be provided on a short term basis.

In the case of closing permanent crossings, this would be done when the number of cars or children has decreased below the warrant for a crossing or where new facilities have been provided that result in the presence of a warden being unnecessary.

In instances where a crossing is left without a school warden on a short term basis, this is a result of us not having sufficient relief wardens to cover all crossings.

We have a 1-4 priority rating attached to all our crossings and in instances where there is a shortage of available wardens the higher rated priority crossings take precedence.

We are currently having issues with recruiting new school wardens and have held competitions twice in the last 12months. We are also looking to recruit for a third time in the coming weeks which is unprecedented frequency within this section.

With regards to the health and safety risk of the children, it is impossible for the council to completely remove the health and safety risk to children on our roads but our intention is to lower it to an acceptable level. We take a risk management approach to crossing closures.