Vol. 409 No. 8
1 Mr. J. Higgins asked the Minister for Education if she has analysed the child abuse prevention programme of persons (details supplied) which has operated successfully in 12 schools in the Dublin area over the past year; if she is prepared to recommend adoption of the programme in schools on a nationwide basis; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
A report on the evaluation of the pilot use of this programme in 12 primary schools in the Dublin area has been supplied to my Department. I have recently had discussions with the INTO together with persons involved in the development of the programme and a senior psychologist in my Department. I support the programme.
Consideration is now being given to the support for further use of the materials in other primary schools in the Eastern Health Board area. I should stress that the use of any such programme in a school would be a matter for the management of the particular school concerned in consultation with the staff and parents.
Does the Minister agree that there is a crisis which is getting steadily worse — the most recent statistics show that Childline received 31,800 cries for help during the past 12 months? In the three year formal training course in teacher training colleges a mere half an hour is devoted to the heading "detecting and coping with child abuse". Would the Minister not recommend that not alone should this well structured and balanced programme be adopted in the Eastern Health Board area but also nationally?
I agree that there is a problem but I stress that the matter must be approached in a professional way and with the appropriate sensitivity in the best interests of parents and children, teachers, management and all concerned. When the INTO sought a formal meeting with me and with Dr. Maria Lawlor and Dr. Deirdre McIntyre, I was glad to meet them at short notice. At that meeting there was a video presentation of the information they had complied and they informed me of their experiences in piloting the programme in 12 schools. As I said, I was greatly impressed and taken by the programme. It was put to me that the programme should be extended to include schools in the Eastern Health Board area. I asked officials of my Department to start work on the project and I am keen to get it underway. As I said in my initial reply, the use of any such project in a primary school would be a matter for the management, teachers and parents. Regard must be had to the sensitivities involved, particularly with regard to young children, but having met the two professionals involved I must say that I was very impressed and taken by their integrity, commitment and professionalism in the matter. I intend to actively pursue this area.
