Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 27 Oct 1982

Vol. 338 No. 1

Written Answers. - Sexual Abuse of Children.

245.

Mr. Keating

asked the Minister for Education if he will state in regard to the sexual abuse of children by teachers in schools (1) the number of incidents reported or known to his Department over the last ten years and if he will give details for each of those years; (2) the number of teachers and students involved and the number of incidents in that period; (3) if he will indicate whether there is some form of monitoring of standards or allegations of abuse in this respect; (4) the number of teachers suspended, told to resign, otherwise disciplined and prosecuted for such offences during this period; (5) if any teacher in respect of whom such allegations was found to have a basis in fact is still teaching, and, if so, whether the new employers are so aware; (6) whether any teacher allegedly involved in such incidents has been either suspended or forced to resign and is still on salary; (7) whether he is satisfied with the content of teacher-training courses for all levels of education, with particular respect to the psychological or other suitability of teachers and with particular reference to this potential problem; and if he will make a statement on the situation and any proposals he might have to discourage further any possible abuses in this area.

246.

Mr. Keating

asked the Minister for Education whether managers of schools are obliged to report incidents of sexual abuse to his Department or the Garda; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

The Taoiseach

I propose to take Questions Nos. 245 and 246 together.

According to the records of my Department there were three such allegations made and investigated in the case of national schools. In two cases the teachers concerned resigned when the charges were put to them. In the third case the teacher denied the allegation and the evidence available was not considered sufficient to warrant official action in relation to it. None of the three teachers is at present in the teaching service.

The records of the Department do not disclose any such allegations in the case of post-primary schools. Details in relation to the number of students involved or the number of incidents are not available. The Rules for National Schools authorise the Minister for Education to determine the action to be taken against a teacher in relation to improper conduct.

I am satisfied that the authorities responsible for the training of teachers and for the determination of the content of the courses of teacher training discharge their responsibility in that respect with due regard for all relevant considerations.

The management authorities of schools are charged with the proper management of their schools. The discharge of such duty would involve compliance with legal or such other requirements as the circumstances would indicate. There are no specific regulations in regard to the reporting of incidents of sexual abuse to the Department of Education.