Vol. 450 No. 8
136 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for Education if she has satisfied herself that the professional confidentiality of a teacher is sufficiently protected under the Department of Education guidelines as outlined in the procedures for dealing with allegations or suspicions of child abuse issued in November 1991. [5862/95]
The guidelines published by my Department fully recognise the need to maintain confidentiality in dealing with any alleged instance of child abuse. Confidentiality, discretion and sensitivity are set out as the three fundamental principles which underpin the guidelines. The entire thrust of the guidelines is to limit the communication of information to those who have an obligation to receive it.
I am also advised that a teacher adhering to the guidelines could have a claim of privilege displaced only where it was established that the teacher concerned acted maliciously.
