Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 25 February 2014
135. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Education and Skills if, in view of European Court of Human Right's Judgment 027(2014), he will introduce comprehensive reforms of the funding-management model of schools to ensure a strong foundation of the sector going into the future; if he will provide details of the implications of the judgment for the current model; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8912/14]
View answerThe adequacy of child protection mechanisms is a central issue in the ECHR judgement to which the Deputy refers.
The landscape in relation to child protection is very different today than it was 40 years ago. In that regard, there are now national child protection procedures in place that schools are obliged to follow. The Children First guidelines soon to be put on a statutory footing apply equally to schools of all management types. Requirements in relation to Garda vetting are also in place and apply to all schools in the context of employing teachers or others. I do not see this as a funding issue either. It is about adhering to the guidelines. In relation to the implications of the judgment in general, I have sought and await legal advice and do not wish to pre-empt that advice. However, I can assure the Deputy that any legal advice received will be given careful consideration.
