asked the Minister for Education if he will state in relation to St. Laurence's School, Finglas, Dublin (a) the exact number of occasions on which corporal punishment was inflicted during the last year; (b) the implements that were used for this purpose; (c) the number of students punished; (d) the number of strokes inflicted on each occasion; (e) the method of monitoring this procedure; and (f) if, in the light of his answer to (e), he is able to attest to the accuracy of the foregoing data.
Written Answers. - Corporal Punishment in Finglas (Dublin) School.
293.
The replies to the Deputy's queries are as follows: (a) 4 occasions; (b) a light leather strap; (c) 4 students; (d) two strokes on two occasions, three on one occasion and four on one occasion; (e) punishment is given only on the approval of the director and in the presence of a witness. The school is regularly inspected by the child care officer of my Department who takes particular note of matters such as discipline and punishment; (f) I am satisfied as to the accuracy of the data and have full confidence in the director, the professional and house staff.