Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 12 Feb 1998

Vol. 487 No. 2

Written Answers. - Child Abuse.

Willie Penrose

Ceist:

30 Mr. Penrose asked the Minister for Education and Science the guidelines the Department has issued to primary and secondary school teachers to deal with students who report instances of physical or sexual abuse to them; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3588/98]

Minister for Education and Science (Mr. Martin)

My Department issued guidelines to all primary schools in November, 1991 under the title Procedures for Dealing with Allegations of Child Abuse, and to post-primary schools in 1992 under the title Procedures for Dealing with Allegations or Suspicions of Child Abuse. These guidelines were drawn up in consultation with the education partners. They cover suspected child abuse, either external or internal, to the school.

The guidelines make clear that the role of the school authorities is to ensure that suspicions or allegations should be reported by the chairman, manager or chief executive officer to the health authorities or the Garda. The guidelines advise that, if there is indisputable evidence that an individual has abused a child, the matter must be reported directly to the Garda.

A working party, representative of the education partners, is currently examining those guidelines with a view to ensuring that they remain relevant to the situations faced by teachers in their classrooms. Representatives of a number of health boards have joined the working party. I am satisfied this type of close co-operation between the health board, the partners and my Department will assist schools and teachers in dealing with allegations or suspicions of child abuse.