Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 17 Apr 2002

Vol. 552 No. 1

Written Answers. - Stay Safe Programme.

Billy Timmins

Question:

780 Mr. Timmins asked the Minister for Education and Science the percentage of schools which participated in the stay safe programme; the number of times this programme has been carried out; the system in place to ensure that the programme is carried out on a continual basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11710/02]

Minister for Education and Science (Dr. Woods)

The implementation of the stay safe programme involves in-service training for the school staff, parent education and personal safety skills education for primary school children. Since its introduction in 1991, almost all schools, 98.6%, have participated in in-service training and 87% have facilitated parent education regarding child protection issues. Results of a survey carried out in 1999-00 show that 74% of schools are teaching the stay safe programme.

It is recommended that the programme be taught to children twice during the junior cycle, infants to second class, and twice during senior cycle, third to sixth class. Schools that are implementing the programme are offered ongoing support and training for teachers and parents by the child abuse prevention programme. There is an increase in the number of hitherto non-participating schools requesting teacher training or parent education regarding stay safe. Although it is not mandatory for schools to implement the programme, it is anticipated that the full introduction of the children first guidelines which state that "school management should provide for the planning, development and implementation of an effective child protection programme" will result in an increase in the number of schools teaching stay safe.