Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 31 Mar 1998

Vol. 489 No. 3

Written Answers. - Stay Safe Programme.

Richard Bruton

Ceist:

253 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Education and Science his views on whether the recent increase on the number of reported cases of child abuse highlights the importance of teaching the stay safe programme in all schools; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7812/98]

Richard Bruton

Ceist:

254 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Education and Science the plans, if any, he has for maintaining the stay safe programme; the resources he proposes to allocate to the programme, particularly in relation to staffing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7813/98]

Richard Bruton

Ceist:

255 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Education and Science the long-term commitment which the Government will make on the implementation of the stay safe programme in primary schools; whether the programme will be included as part of the school curriculum; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7814/98]

Minister for Education and Science (Mr. Martin)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 253, 254 and 255 together.

The stay safe programme is designed for use in primary schools and covers all forms of child 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 taught safety skills in the normal classroom context and these skills are reinforced through discussion with their parents. In the circumstances, I consider that the stay safe programme is the most appropriate and effective programme for addressing the needs of school children in this area.

Currently, approximately 80 per cent of schools are teaching the stay safe programme and, as over 85 per cent of schools have arranged parent meetings, I am confident that this number will grow. 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. However, the Deputy will appreciate that there is often a delay between the time that a school holds a parent meeting and the time when a school actually starts teaching the programme.

One teacher continues to be seconded on a full-time basis to the programme and acts as a co-ordinator for all aspects of the programme team's activities. In addition, a nationwide network of 40 teachers, working on a part-time basis, remains in place. This network is continuing to support those schools currently teaching the programme and to target those schools which are not yet participating in the programme.

The revised primary curriculum, currently being finalised by the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment, will cover the issue of child abuse prevention under the social, personal and health education — SPHE — module. While it will not be mandatory for schools to use the stay safe programme, schools will be required to provide personal safety education for children.