Seán Crowe (Dublin South West, Sinn Fein)

To get back to the timescale, is the Minister talking about three, six, nine or 12 months? Does she have a timescale in mind? I accept there is confusion and ignorance about the Stay Safe programme. However, I thought it was a positive step by the representatives of the bishops' commission who attended the Committee on Education and Science and supported the programme. As Deputy Finian McGrath said, there is a need for leadership on this matter. No one wants to compulsorily force parents to accept the programme but leadership is required in this respect. I think everyone accepts that this is the proper way forward for children.

Where do children go whose parents wish them to opt out of participation in the programme? Is the Department working on schemes to look after children at school who will not participate?

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