Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 2 Dec 1998

Vol. 497 No. 6

Written Answers - Child Abuse.

Charles Flanagan

Question:

120 Mr. Flanagan asked the Minister for Education and Science if any teacher against whom allegations of child abuse have been made, and where these cases were found to have a basis in fact, continued to teach, retired, resigned or was transferred; and, if a transfer did take place, if the school authorities in the area to which the teacher was transferred were informed of the potential risk involved. [25794/98]

Minister for Education and Science (Mr. Martin):

I am aware of a case where allegations of child abuse were made to my Department in 1982 in relation to a former primary school principal. At that time the former principal had transferred to a teaching position in a secondary school. The teacher continued to teach in the secondary school sector until 1985.

The letter of complaint received by the Department in 1982 referred to the removal of the principal from his former position as principal of a primary school as a result of allegations of abuse of boys in his classes in the period 1965 to 1970. The letter also indicated that the author had been in touch with the authorities of the secondary school in which the former principal was then teaching.

On my instructions my Department's papers in this case have been reviewed and following this review, I am firmly of the view that the Department's response to this complaint was seriously lacking and that there can be absolutely no excuse by reference to the standards of the time. I should add that the Departments papers on this matter were made available to the Garda, at their request, during the course of their investigations.

In the meantime, procedures to deal with similar situations have been completely altered. Guidelines which were issued to all primary schools in 1991 and to second level schools in 1992 set out the procedures to be followed in dealing with allegations or suspicion of child abuse. In particular they emphasised the obligation on school authorities to ensure that allegations or suspicions are reported to the health authorities.

The procedures to be followed by my Department where an allegation of abuse is received are set out in an internal instruction of 1995. Where the allegation relates to a teacher or other member of staff of a school, the procedure requires that the appropriate school authorities be notified by the Department. The response of the school is then monitored by an internal committee of the Department chaired by an assistant secretary. Where the allegation is the subject of a Garda investigation, my Department would expect school authorities to suspend the teacher in question pending the outcome of the inquiry. In such cases, salary continues to be paid and substitution provided.

Where following a Garda inquiry no prosecution is taken or where an acquittal results, I and my Department take and act upon the view that the school continues to have a duty to establish if the teacher in question was guilty of misconduct, albeit misconduct not leading to a criminal charge. The Department carefully monitors the actions of schools in this regard.

I am strongly of the view that there can be no room for any complacency in relation to current procedures. For this reason a working party, representative of the education partners, is already examining the existing guidelines on abuse in order to make sure that they represent a comprehensive and fully updated response to this issue. Representatives of the health boards have joined the working party. Furthermore, officials of my Department have held discussions with representatives of the working group to review the child abuse guidelines which has been established by the Department of Health and Children. Updated guidelines will be issued to schools as soon as the group has completed its formal report, which is expected within the next three months. This close co-operation between health boards, the education partners and my Department is essential in safeguarding the well-being of pupils in schools.

We must also continue to emphasise the value of preventative strategies in combating this evil. In this context initiatives such as the Stay Safe Programme will continue to play a critical role in promoting an awareness amongst pupils of inappropriate behaviour on the part of figures in authority.