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School Staffing

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 3 July 2012

Tuesday, 3 July 2012

Ceisteanna (209, 210, 211)

Dara Calleary

Ceist:

215 Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Education and Skills the projected number of schools as of 25 June 2012 that will have one teacher in September 2012. [31668/12]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

There are currently 19 one teacher schools in the primary school system. Based on information available to my Department there will be 16 such schools in the coming school year 2012/13.

Dara Calleary

Ceist:

216 Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Education and Skills the supports available to one-teacher schools to allow for the full implementation and monitoring of all child protection procedures and requirements in the school; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31669/12]

Amharc ar fhreagra

My Department has recently published updated "Child Protection Procedures for Primary and Post-Primary Schools". These procedures are based on the recently published "Children First — National Guidance for the Protection and Welfare of Children 2011" and apply to all primary and post-primary schools, irrespective of size.

The new procedures incorporate significant improvements to the previous school guidelines and are intended to better ensure consistent and uniform implementation of Children First across all schools. The improvements include a new template child protection policy, a requirement that all primary schools fully implement the Stay Safe programme and also put in place improved oversight arrangements at Board of Management level.

Continuing Professional Development (CPD) on the recently published Child Protection Procedures has been offered to all Designated Liaison Persons or Deputy Designated Liaison Persons appointed since 2009. The Professional Development Service for Teachers (PDST) provided a one day Child Protection seminar in local Education Centres with a total of 44 seminars arranged to date. My Department also provided funding for substitution cover for attendance at these seminars. In addition, a two-hour evening information workshop on the revised procedures was provided by PDST to all other Designated Liaison and Deputy Designated Liaison Persons in order to give an update on the key changes and requirements. A total of 35 information sessions have been arranged across the network of education centres. Furthermore, the Child Abuse Prevention Programme continues to provide staff training and additional support and advice for schools and boards of management on the Stay Safe Programme, on the development of child protection policies and protocols and on liaising with relevant agencies in health and education.

Dara Calleary

Ceist:

217 Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Education and Skills the supports available to one-teacher schools to allow for the full implementation and monitoring of all health and safety procedures and requirements in the school; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31670/12]

Amharc ar fhreagra

The Health and Safety Authority (HSA) is the national statutory body with responsibility for ensuring that health and safety requirements are met by all employers, including schools. The Authority also provides information and advice to organisations to assist them in ensuring that their responsibilities in respect of health and safety in the workplace are met. The HSA has published a number of resources specifically for schools to support them in managing health and safety in the school environment. It also provides a number of online training courses specifically for the school sector. Further details on the advice, resources and training courses available from the HSA can be obtained by contacting the HSA at the local number 1890 289 389 or from the HSA's website www.hsa.ie.

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