Vol. 431 No. 8
89 Miss Harney asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that a group known as Parents Against Stay Safe are seeking to prevent children from participating in the Stay Safe programme; and if, given the need for such a programme, he will take whatever steps are open to him to ensure that it is available in all schools; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
While I am aware of the group referred to by the Deputy, I would like to emphasise the non-compulsory nature of the Stay Safe Child Abuse Prevention Programme. Before the programme is launched in a school the parents are consulted and their written permission to their children's participation in the project is sought. If parents don't wish their child to be taught the safety skills covered in the programme, then their wishes are fully respected.
Both my colleague, the Minister for Education, and myself are fully supportive of the Stay Safe Programme which is currently being implemented in all primary schools around the country with the active support of our Departments and the health boards. It is expected that the implementation process will be successfully completed in all areas by the end of the school year 1993/94.
