Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 24 May 2022
364. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Education the strategy that is in place to support young persons who were abused in secondary boarding schools; and if recent recognition by religious orders of abuse will result in additional supports or steps to be taken by her Department. [25799/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe abuse of children in any setting is a heinous crime and every effort should be made to bring the perpetrator to justice through the courts system. All reports of abuse should be reported to the Gardaí who will investigate each reported abuse. There is no time limit on the investigation of cases of historical abuse.
I wish to reassure the Deputy that my Department takes child protection very seriously and considers that the protection and welfare of children is a fundamental responsibility of all involved in the care and education of children. In this regard, any concern or allegation of a child protection nature received by staff in my Department is dealt with in accordance with the Department’s Procedures for responding to Child Protection Concerns which come to the attention of staff employed by the Department of Education.
My Department does not make any judgment on the concerns which comes to its attention and ensures that the details of the concern reported to the Department, including reports which relate to historical abuse, are immediately passed on to the relevant authorities, i.e. Tusla-the Child and Family Agency, An Garda Síochána and/or the school authorities as appropriate.
My Department plays an important role in the oversight of the child protection procedures for schools. The Inspectorate carries out a range of inspections in all recognised schools. Schools are selected for inclusion in the broader inspection programme using a range of factors and information. Although the Inspectorate has no role in the investigation of individual complaints about schools, all correspondence is noted and it may, together with a range of other information, be considered by the Inspectorate in planning its inspection programme. The Inspectorate does not comment on its future planned inspection programme.
It is important to note that arrangements for child protection in schools have been extensively revised and extended. In recent years, for example, the enactment of the Children First Act in 2015 led to the issue of revised Child Protection Procedures for Primary and Post-primary Schools in 2017, with an extensive programme of professional development for teachers and school leaders. A fundamental principle of the Child Protection Procedures for Primary and Post-Primary Schools 2017 is that all schools must keep pupils/students safe from harm while attending the school or while participating in school activities.
In relation to supporting victims of abuse in their childhood, when contacted by individuals my Department provides details of counselling supports available. As part of the State's response to individuals experiencing distress as a result of childhood sexual abuse, a free National Counselling Service was set up which is run by the HSE and has been operating since 2000. Full details are available on: www.hse.ie/eng/services/list/4/mental-health-services/national-counselling-service/
In Addition, the National Educational Educational Psychological Service [NEPS] supports the well-being, social and emotional competence of all learners through the provision of a tiered model of service encompassing both universal approaches and more targeted responses for some individuals. As part of their work NEPS psychologists can advise schools and signpost them on how to access appropriate resources and supports for students
Finally Tusla provides support to victims of abuse through its own child protection & welfare services for Children who require safety planning or are in the care of the Child & Family Agency.
It also has developed the Barnhaus, Onehouse project in Galway providing services on a multi-agency basis to children who have experienced sexual abuse and plans to roll this out further in two more locations in Cork and Dublin. Tusla also provides funding for other services for children and families in their localities such as CARI, the Rape Crisis Centre, and support services offered through our network of Family Resource Centres and Domestic and Gender Based Violence Services, which include counselling services.
