It proving to be difficult to recruit school wardens in Kildare

Kildare School Wardens have underwent refresher training which usually takes place twice a year.

placeholder image — Kildare School Wardens have underwent refresher training which usually takes place twice a year.

The conditions attached to the role is making it difficult to find candidates

School warden positions are difficult to fill across County Kildare.

Information about the scheme was sought at Kildare County Council meeting by Cllr Rupert Heather who asked how “the council plans to future-proof the service in light of population growth, increased traffic, and rising school enrolment.”

The service operates during school terms and a warden is empowered to stop and hold traffic during times of operation in order to allow school children to cross the road safely.

Currently there are 21 wardens assigned to specific crossing points within the county in the Athy (two), Celbridge-Leixlip (five), Kildare-Newbridge (five) Clane-Maynooth (four) and Naas (five) areas.

KCC official Mark McLoughlin told the meeting that the number of staff available to undertake these duties is limited and by their nature, this role is a difficult position to fill, either permanently or temporarily.

“Recruitment is challenging (because) you need to live close to the school, the hours are unusual and the pay is modest,” he said.

He also said the service is under constant review “particularly in the context of the increased provision of signalised pedestrian crossings.”