Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 15 October 2025
143. Deputy Paul Nicholas Gogarty asked the Minister for Education and Youth the reason hand-dryers have not been installed at a new school (details supplied) given the long-term cost savings and environmental benefits of their installation, providing a directive to use paper towels in their place; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [55631/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe large scale capital project at the school referred to by the Deputy is at Architectural Planning Stage 4 – Construction.
The project brief for the Major Project at Holy Family Community School includes the Demolition of the existing school and the phased construction of a three storey 1,000 pupil Community School with Special Education Needs Unit and PE Hall.
The Departments School Design Guide - SDG 02-06 Sanitary Facilities states that the provision for hand drying facilities shall be paper towel or cotton/linen towels. Electric hand dryers are not permitted. The sanitary facilities should have adequate space for disposable hand towel dispensers and a refuse bin for the disposal of paper towels.
The Department of Education and Youth have an ongoing policy of updating and improving its suite of Technical Guidance Documents / School Design Guides (TGDs / SDGs) for schools with a view to offering better guidance to school authorities and Design Teams.
The Department has undertaken extensive review exercises of recently built schools. Lessons learnt incorporating feedback from schools and international best practice has resulted in the formation of our guidelines.
