asked the Minister for Education if he is aware that parents of children who were assaulted at national schools have been summoned under the School Attendance Act, because they will not allow their children to return to school to the teacher guilty of assaulting them; and what action he intends taking in such instances.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - School Attendance Prosecutions.
21.
I am not aware of any specific instances where parents have been summoned under the School Attendance Act in the circumstances as stated.
The administration and enforcement of the School Attendance Act, 1926, rests with the Enforcing Authority and I have no function in this matter.
If I give the Minister an instance of this kind will he be prepared to use whatever influence he has to see that the child is not asked, against the wishes of the child's parents, to go back to the school where the assault occurred?
I am quite prepared fully to investigate any incident such as that mentioned by the Deputy.
22.
asked the Minister for Education if in view of the alarming number of successful court cases brought against national teachers by parents for the assault of their children at national schools, he will draw the attention of all teachers and school managers to rule 96 of his Department's regulations which forbids all physical punishment of children except caning on the open hand for grave transgression; and if he will take the necessary steps to enforce these protective regulations in all national schools.
I am satisfied that whatever such cases have arisen did not originate in any lack of knowledge of the regulations or of my policy of taking whatever steps may be necessary.