Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 12 October 2023
125. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Education what protocol is in place for complaints being made against staff members (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44600/23]
View answerThe Protected Disclosures (Amendment) Act 2022 (the 2022 Act), places obligations on schools as public bodies to have processes in place to facilitate workers in making protected disclosures.
One of the changes introduced in the 2022 Act is the requirement that public bodies, which include recognised schools, maintain and operate internal reporting channels and procedures for the making of protected disclosures. Suitable documented procedures and reporting lines must also be maintained for the purposes of follow-up with the person who made the protected disclosure, after they have made the disclosure. The Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform is responsible for the Interim Guidance for public bodies on the performance of their functions under the Protected Disclosures Act.
Prior to the commencement of the new legislation on 1 January 2023, the Department advised school management bodies to make sure that all their member schools take the necessary steps to ensure their protected disclosures channels and procedures were in compliance with the new requirements of the legislation.
