Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 17 April 2013
13. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Education and Skills his views on the recent IMPACT study which indicated that 60% of special needs assistants in schools say they have been assaulted by the pupils with whom they work; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17535/13]
View answerThe health and safety of school staff and pupils is a fundamental aspect of the day-to-day management of schools. My Department has a role in supporting schools in relation to how they discharge those responsibilities.
The survey conducted by IMPACT can be valuable in informing best practice in schools and I hope it will be made available to my Department and others. On receipt of the survey I will ask my Department to bring it to the attention of the various organisations who represent school management. This will enable the management of schools who employ special needs assistants to take the findings of this survey into account when preparing or reviewing their school safety statement and arrangements.
