Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 12 May 1998

Vol. 490 No. 7

Written Answers. - Stay Safe Programme.

Monica Barnes

Question:

45 Mrs. Barnes asked the Minister for Education and Science the attempts, if any, he has made to resolve the difficult situation that has existed in Scoil Lorcáin, Monkstown, County Dublin for several years, whereby teachers are refusing to teach the Stay Safe programme particularly in view of the recent child sex abuse scandals portrayed in the media, the rape of an eight years old girl and the fact that this refusal has caused distress to the majority of the parents with children at the school. [11090/98]

Eamon Gilmore

Question:

218 D'fhiafraigh Mr. Gilmore den Aire Oideachais agus Eolaíochta cén iarracht atá á déanamh aige chun an clár fan slán a chur ar fáil do dhaltaí i scoil áirithe (sonraí tugtha) inar mian leis na tuismitheoirí an clár a bheith múinte; an bhfuil a fhios aige nach bhfuil an clár á mhúineadh sa scoil ar chor ar bith; agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina thaobh. [11491/98]

Minister for Education and Science (Mr. Martin)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 45 and 218 together.

The Stay Safe programme has been updated in consultation with the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment and the user's handbook and lesson plans have been revised. A new video has also been produced. The introduction of the updated Stay Safe pack to primary schools throughout the country is taking place this school term.

I am pleased to inform the Deputy that, following discussions between the child abuse prevention programme team and the management authorities of Scoil Lorcáin, it has been agreed that the CAPP co-ordinator will hold a meeting for teachers and parents in the school in June this year where these revised materials will be presented.

In addition, the CAPP team is now providing a co-teaching service for a small number of the schools which have not yet introduced the Stay Safe programme, whereby a designated CAPP teacher teaches the programme with the class teacher. My officials have been informed that the board of management and principal of Scoil Lorcáin have agreed that co-teaching will take place in the school in September 1998.

I wish to emphasise that the Stay Safe programme is considered to be the most appropriate and most effective programme for addressing the needs of school children in this area.