Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 8 May 2019
351. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of child protection complaints received due to staffing levels in schools and not having the requisite number of adult teachers or assistants to adhere to child protection guidelines; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19497/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe primary statutory responsibility for child protection lies with Tusla, the Child and Family Agency. The role of my Department is to provide guidance and support to schools in implementing child protection requirements and to refer any allegations the Department receives to the appropriate authorities for investigation.
In accordance with Children First – National Guidance for the Protection and Welfare of Children 2017 (Children First National Guidance 2017) there are four different categories of child abuse; physical abuse, emotional abuse, sexual abuse and child neglect. The Children First National Guidance 2017 requires that Tusla should always be informed where a person has reasonable grounds for concern that a child may have been, is being, or is at risk of being abused.
My Department has issued "Child Protection Procedures for Primary and Post-Primary Schools 2017" which are based on the Children First National Guidance 2017 and the Children First Act 2015. The purpose of these procedures is to give direction and guidance to school authorities and to school personnel, including teachers as mandated persons, in relation to meeting their statutory obligations under the Children First Act, 2015 and in the implementation of the best practice (non-statutory) guidance set out in Children First National Guidance 2017. The procedures make clear the procedures to be followed by members of school personnel when dealing with child protection concerns. The procedures apply to all recognised schools regardless of size.
It is the responsibility of each individual school to ensure that it complies with the procedures and that it has, having regard to its own particular circumstances and available resources, appropriate policies and practices in place to safeguard its pupils. In relation to one teacher schools, my Department has been in contact with one teacher schools to help identify where there are any gaps in having a second adult present during the school day and arrangements are being put in place to increase funding to those schools where a gap has been identified. In that regard, additional funding will support one teacher schools to ensure that there is a second adult present for all of the school day.
In relation to any child abuse concerns that are brought the attention of staff of my Department, in accordance with my Department’s Procedures for Responding to Child Protection Concerns Brought to the Attention of Staff Employed by the Department of Education and Skills, such concerns are forwarded to Tusla and where applicable to the relevant school authorities. My Department does not maintain records of such concerns in the format referred to by the Deputy.
