asked the Minister for Education if he is aware of the need for a code of ethics for the teaching profession and for those involved in child care as a basic safeguard for children; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Child Care Code of Ethics.
15.
Children in care in institutions which are supported from the Vote of the Department of Education are safeguarded by the provisions of the Children Act 1908 and amendments.
With regard to the teaching profession I am satisfied that the basic training of teachers and the structures and rules under which the schools operate are of a standard which ensure that the care and wellbeing of the children are safeguarded and promoted.
Could the Minister indicate whether the Department of Education are satisfied with the procedures which are adopted in cases where complaints are made regarding the ethical standards of those involved in the teaching profession?
We are satisfied but if the Deputy has some specific instances where he feels that the proper procedure has not been complied with we would be delighted if he would give us the information and we will have them investigated.
Would the Minister outline what the procedures that are in force actually consist of?
Does the Deputy want to find out about all of them? Is the Deputy talking about children in care, in schools or in special residential homes or——
My question relates to the procedures which are enacted when complaints are made regarding the ethical standards employed by members of the teaching profession——
Could the Deputy speak louder because I cannot hear what he is asking.
My question relates to the procedures which are to be adopted when complaints are received from parents or members of the public regarding the ethical standards operated by individual members of the teaching profession.
The 1908 Children Act and amendments provide the protection that is there at the moment. Certain recommendations have been made in the report of the Task Force on Child Care and the Government are at present considering these recommendations. In accordance with their report the Department of Health are at present preparing the heads of a Bill for amending legislation and any amendments of the Children Act will take place in that form.
The Minister may have misunderstood. My question is related to the standards employed by teachers in normal schools.
I am quite satisfied that the training which teachers receive — as a teacher myself I am well aware of the type of training they get — is good enough to ensure that the type of practices the Deputy is concerned about would not occur in national schools. Where we have had complaints or where inspectors have had complaints they have been fully investigated by the Department and appropriate action has been taken.
I merely asked what the procedures are when complaints are received. The Minister has not yet outlined those procedures.
Any such allegation, like any allegation regarding schools, would in the normal course be reported to the principal of the school. If satisfaction was not received by a parent it would then be referred to the board of management. If, after that, no satisfaction was still forthcoming the complaint would be reported to the Department of Education.
I want to know is what do the Department of Education do?
The Department would ask the divisional inspector for the area in which the school was located to take statements from both sides and give the history of the case to the Department. A decision would then be made. If the Deputy knows of any instance where parents or children have not been given satisfaction he should outline it. As far as the Department files are concerned there are no such outstanding cases.
I take them up with the secretary of the Department.
The Deputy is very welcome to do so but I would not like him to indicate that he does not get the same co-operation from me as he does from the secretary of the Department or that he will not get it from the new Minister for Education.