Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 18 May 2010
531 Deputy Brian Hayes asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills the number of schools that have received updated child protection guidelines from her Department to date; if updated internal guidelines have been circulated to Departmental staff; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20180/10]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department has issued child protection guidelines and procedures to all schools. The guidelines are based on Children First — the Department of Health & Children's national guidelines for the protection and welfare of children. The Children First guidelines make very clear the reporting and investigation mechanisms to be followed in cases of suspected child abuse wherever they occur, and the lead role of the HSE.
The guidelines for schools require each board of management to designate a senior member of staff, normally the principal, as the Designated Liaison Person (DLP) for the school. The DLP acts as a liaison person with the health authorities and other agencies on child protection issues and as a resource person to any staff member who has concerns in this regard.
In anticipation of the review and recent updating of Children First, my Department wrote to all the education partners last Autumn inviting submissions from them on potential changes that might be desirable to the Department's existing child protection guidelines to schools. The education partners were also invited to participate in a working party to review the guidelines and the working party commenced its work last December. A series of meetings with the partners have since taken place and good progress has been made.
In February 2007, the Department issued revised internal guidelines and procedures which have been circulated to all persons employed by the Department. The guidelines were based on Children First. The purpose of these procedures is to provide direction and guidance to staff in dealing with any allegations or complaints of abuse which are made to the Department. These guidelines will also be updated later this year, taking account of both the revised Children First and the child protection guidelines for schools.
