John Bruton
Ceist:200 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for Health if he will outline the purpose of the stay safe programme; and the reason this programme has not been extended to schools in County Meath.
Written Answers. - Stay Safe Programme.
The stay safe programme is a child abuse prevention programme. The programme was designed for use in primary schools and covers all forms of abuse including bullying. Its aim is to prevent child abuse by equipping parents and teachers with the knowledge and skills necessary to protect the children in their care. Children are then taught safety skills in the normal classroom context and these skills are reinforced through discussion with their parents. This approach increases community awareness and makes children less vulnerable to abuse of all kinds.
The programme was initially introduced in 12 schools in the Dublin area on a pilot basis and it is currently being implemented in all schools in the Eastern Health Board area with the assistance of my Department and of the Department of Education. The response of parents, teachers and children themselves to the programme has been very positive and the question of extending it to schools in the other health board areas is under active consideration at present in both Departments.