Desmond J. O'Malley
Ceist:32 Mr. O'Malley asked the Minister for Education if she will make the Stay Safe Programme mandatory in schools. [7935/95]
Written Answers. - Stay Safe Programme.
The implementation of the Stay Safe Programme at classroom level in each individual case follows agreement between the teacher, the board of management and the parents involved. It is essential that parents continue to have the right to decline to have their children participate in the programme if they so wish. For this reason, I do not envisage a situation where the programme would be made mandatory in schools.
Under the Government of Renewal, the Government is committed to the extension of the Stay Safe Programme on a national basis. At present, approximately 60 per cent of all primary schools are teaching the programme. It is expected that this will increase to over 80 per cent during 1995.