Darren O'Rourke
Ceist:224. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education and Youth the measures being taken by her Department to ensure schools are protected from noise pollution from Dublin Airport. [67445/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraTuesday, 2 December 2025
Ceisteanna (224)
Freagraí scríofa
My Department provides design guidance for new schools including SDG 02-05-03 Acoustic Performance in New Primary & Post Primary School Buildings published in October 2020. The overall objective of the performance standards in this document is to provide acoustic conditions in schools that:
• Facilitate clear communication of speech between teacher and students.
• Do not interfere with study activities.
The guidance also notes in relation to school sites that;
External sources outside the school premises include, but are not limited to, noise from road, rail and air traffic, industrial and commercial premises. Due regard to Indoor Ambient Noise Level (IANL) shall be considered in selecting sites for schools and in the design of the school building layout and orientation. Under EU Directive 2002/49/EC transposed by SI number 140 of 2006, Environmental Noise Regulations 2006, it is the responsibility of Local Authorities to produce Noise Maps and Action Plans. Maps and Action Plans will only be available for agglomerations with:
More than 250,000 inhabitants
Places near major roads which have more than six million vehicle passages a year
Major railways which have more than 60 000 train passages per year
Major airports
In addition all new schools are required to be constructed in compliance with the Building Regulations including Technical Guidance Document Part E – Sound published by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage.
My department notes in relation to Dublin Airport, that Fingal County Council have published the Noise Action Plan for Dublin Airport (2024-2028). The airport authority for Dublin Airport (DAA) is responsible for preparing strategic noise maps and the management of aircraft noise at Dublin Airport in accordance with the relevant regulations.