Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 17 January 2017
368. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the action which has been taken by his Department on foot of the allegations of sexual assault on a pupil at a school (details supplied); if all front-line staff at the school in question received training in Children First guidelines and legislation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41270/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe primary statutory responsibility for child protection lies with the Child and Family Agency. The role of my Department is to provide guidance and support to schools in implementing child protection policy and to refer any allegations my Department receives to the Child and Family Agency or to An Garda Síochána where appropriate for investigation.
My Department has issued "Child Protection Procedures for Primary and Post-Primary Schools" based on the "Children First – National Guidance for the Protection and Welfare of Children 2011" and which apply to all primary and post-primary schools. The purpose of the procedures is to give direction and guidance to school authorities in the implementation of the Children First guidelines when dealing with allegations/suspicions of child abuse and neglect. The procedures 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 Child and Family Agency in this area. The procedures 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 Child and Family Agency and with other agencies on child protection issues and as a resource person to any staff member who has concerns in this regard. The Children First guidelines and my Department's child protection procedures for schools provide that all child protection concerns shall be reported to the Child and Family Agency or to An Garda Síochána where appropriate. Responsibility for ensuring that child protection requirements are complied with rests with the school board, the principal and the staff of each school.
On foot of the revision in 2011 of the Children First guidelines, training has been offered by my Department's Support Services to the Designated Liaison Person and Deputy Designated Liaison Person in all schools in the form of seminars. In addition to this, training has been offered to all schools in the form of facilitated whole staff school visits.
My Department's Support Services' records indicate that training for Designated Liaison Persons and Deputy Designated Liaison Persons has been provided in the case of the school in question.
