THE county town of Fermanagh has just one school crossing patrol officer employed, it has been revealed.
Unlike towns of a similar size in neighbouring Tyrone, just one 'lollipop' person is employed by the Education Authority to cover Enniskillen.
In Dungannon there are 18 such staff, while in Omagh there are 13.
School crossing patrols help children and adults cross the road safely on their way to and from school.
Their role can include deciding when it is safe to stop traffic, controlling children who are waiting to cross the road and reporting vehicles who disobey the patrol.
The issue has been highlighted in Fermanagh following several recent accidents in the county involving school children.
Fermanagh and South Tyrone MLA Rosemary Barton said many parents have raised school crossing safety with her.
"It is of grave concern that there is currently only one school crossing patrol officer in Enniskillen," she said.
The UUP representative referenced one crossing of "particular concern" close to Erne Integrated College in the town.
"Indeed, there are a number of other places which would greatly benefit from a crossing patrol officer and I would suggest that this is a major safety issue for our children which must be addressed immediately."
Last month a Year 10 pupil suffered a serious leg injury in a collision outside St Aidan's High School in Derrylin, while in September two 14-year-old students were taken to hospital after an accident on their way to school in Enniskillen.
The number of school crossing patrols has declined across the north over the past decade, with figures released last year showing a 45 per cent drop in the south-eastern area.
