Minister discusses road safety with Fermanagh principals and pupils

Education Minister, Caitríona Ruane, met with principals and pupils from County Fermanagh today to discuss the importance of road safety.

Speaking after the meeting with the Western Education and Library Board’s (WELB) Road Safety Focus Group, the Minister said: “The safety of pupils travelling to and from school is of paramount importance to me and to the Department of Education. Pupils and parents need to know that when they leave for school in the morning their journey will be a safe one.

“In February 2009, I wrote to all principals in the North asking them to take into consideration the visibility and safety of pupils when deciding their school uniform policy, particularly in rural areas and during the winter nights.”

The Minister went on to praise the work and efforts of all involved in the WELB Road Safety Focus Group. Ms Ruane said: “Following the tragic deaths of two Devenish pupils in November 2008 as they walked from their bus stop, principals and pupils in this rural community came together to try and prevent this from ever happening again. I will listen to any ideas the group has to improve road safety for pupils and will discuss them with my officials.”

Notes to Editors:

1.The WELB established a Road Safety Focus Group whose remit was to develop a strategy and action plan to help improve road safety awareness of pupils travelling to and from educational establishments. This group has representatives from all the relevant statutory agencies including District Councils, the PSNI and the Department of the Environment’s Road Safety Division.

2. Media queries, contact the Department of Education Press Office on 028 9127 9207. Out of office hours please contact the Duty Press Officer via pager number 07699 715 440 and your call will be returned.