COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF CLONDALKIN, NEWCASTLE, RATHCOOLE, SAGGART AND BRITTAS AREA COMMITTEE

Wednesday, May 21, 2025

QUESTION NO. 7

QUESTION: Councillor S. O'Hara

To ask the Chief Executive to provide a school warden at St Mary's National School in Saggart. With increasing traffic in the area, concerns have been raised about the safety of pupils during school times.

REPLY: 

South Dublin County Council operates Road Safety systems throughout the county including the provision of school wardens and other engineering solutions to make the routes to school as safe as possible. 

School Wardens are allocated at public roads, where school children cross,  and are not per se allocated to specific schools.

In consultation with the Principal of St Mary's National School, an inspection was recently undertaken by the Road Safety Office / Traffic Management office when it was noted that a ‘Controlled Pedestrian Crossing’ is already in place outside the school on Garter Lane.

South Dublin County Council will refresh the current road markings on the main road (Garter Lane) and will arrange for the flashing amber signs to be repaired. 

Based upon the above observations, the council cannot provide a School Warden.

Nonetheless, the principal was advised that the school can avail of the education services that are provided by both SDCC and the RSA as it is considered that education awareness for parents and students may be of assistance in promoting road safety awareness around the school.

It should also be noted that it is proving very difficult to recruit and maintain sufficient School Warden numbers within SDCC, and this problem is being replicated across the country.  As a result, going forward it is becoming necessary for all stakeholders to consider alternative options to ensure that primary school children cross public roads safely to get to school.