Vol. 202 No. 4
andMr. McQuillan asked the Minister for Education if his attention has been drawn to a report that children at an orphanage had been thrashed with canes, and that their hair had been cropped to within an inch of their scalps; and what action he has taken, or proposes to take, in the matter.
35.
andMr. McQuillan asked the Minister for Education whether his attention has been drawn to a statement attributed to the Reverend Mother of an orphanage that cutting off a girl's hair was a common punishment there but administered only in extreme cases; and whether he considers that such a punishment is a permissible one in any circumstances.
With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 34 and 35 together. I am having these matters investigated. Until the investigations are completed, I will not be in a position to make any statement in regard to them.
I might say that I very much regret having to put down this question and I regret having to put it down in respect of an Order held in such high esteem in education in Ireland, but in view of the fact that the lady concerned does not appear to appreciate, to me at any rate, that she has violated the regulation of the Department of Education which says that corporal punishment shall only be by means of a light cane on the hand, will the Minister take steps to ensure that while his investigation is being carried out, this episode will in no circumstances be repeated?
I can assure the House that it will not be repeated while the investigation is being carried out. I hope it will not be repeated at any time.
