Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 7 November 2017
1125. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the position regarding engagement and progress between State agencies and a school (details supplied); the name of each agency; the number of meetings that each agency has had with the school since 1 January 2017; the dates of these meetings on the continued high level of suspensions and expulsions from the school; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46766/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Educational Welfare Service of Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, has advised that Tusla Educational Welfare Services (EWS) Regional Manager (RM), Senior Educational Welfare Officer (SEWO) and the Educational Welfare Officer (EWO) assigned to the school met with St Joseph's Principal, Deputy Principal (DP) and Senior management team on 25th April, 2017 to discuss the level of suspensions/expulsions in the school. Prior to this meeting, the SEWO spoke to the National Co-ordinator of the National Behaviour Support Service (NBSS), to discuss potential supports for schools that are experiencing high levels of suspensions/expulsions.
As a follow-up to the meeting, further engagement took place between the relevant parties in relation to the issues that were raised at this meeting.
Tusla EWS held a 'Restorative Practices in Schools' information session on 30/05/17 which was attended by the Principal, 2 Deputy Principals and the Guidance Counsellor.
The Educational Welfare Officer (EWO) assigned to the school has also had a number of meetings with the school in relation to individual cases of expulsion and suspension.
