Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick East, Labour)

I am just trying to find out why the Minister cannot make the programme mandatory and give a directive to all schools to implement it. I received a letter from the Catholic Primary School Management Association which said that Catholic primary schools are required to follow the national guidelines for protection following consultation with the parents with regard to the stay safe programme. From the Department's point of view, is enough effort being made towards ensuring that all schools follow the programme? Has the Minister any indication as to what type of schools are not in the stay safe programme or what reasons are given as to why they might not be included in the programme?

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