Vol. 487 No. 2
13 Mr. Timmins asked the Minister for Education and Science the percentage of primary schools that have completed the Stay Safe programme; the percentage of children in these schools that did not participate in the programme; and the plans, if any, he has to provide an alternative to these children or their parents. [3552/98]
56 Mr. Timmins asked the Minister for Education and Science the percentage of primary schools that have not yet completed the Stay Safe programme; the reason for the delay in this regard; and the plans, if any, he has to ensure that the programme is made available to these schools. [3551/98]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 13 and 56 together.
The latest report to my Department from the child abuse prevention programme CAPP team indicates that approximately 80 per cent of primary schools are teaching the programme. Statistics are not available on the number of children in these schools who did not participate in the programme.
In addition, over 85 per cent of schools have arranged parent meetings. This is an encouraging and significant factor as the experience has been that the number of schools which have held parent meetings closely mirrors the number of schools which will eventually teach the programme. The Deputy will appreciate that there is often a time-lag between the holding of a parent meeting and the introduction of the programme into a school.
CAPP is now providing a co-teaching service to a small number of the schools which have not yet introduced the Stay Safe programme. A designated CAPP teacher teaches the programme with the class teacher. This service is being well-received by the schools.
