Seán Haughey (Dublin North Central, Fianna Fail)

I appreciate that the Leas-Chathaoirleach will monitor the situation for me. I am taking this Adjournment matter on behalf of my colleague, the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills, Deputy Coughlan. I welcome this opportunity to discuss the issue raised by Senator Healy Eames of including a component on potentially fatal allergies, which can cause anaphylactic shock in children, in initial teacher education courses for primary teachers.

In accordance with a school's duty of care to its pupils, each school authority should have in place appropriate practices and procedures to ensure the safety and protection of its pupils in all aspects of its activities. Rules 121(4) and 124(1) of the rules for national schools and section 23(2) of the Education Act 1998 oblige teachers to take all reasonable precautions to ensure the safety of pupils and to participate in supervising pupils when they are on school premises, during school time or on school activities. Accordingly, the responsibility of all teachers individually and collectively to provide a duty of care at all times towards the pupils in the school in which they teach, including periods of supervision, remains.

Anaphylaxis, also known as anaphylactic shock, is an extreme allergic reaction to a substance, such as nuts, that can be severe and potentially fatal. Anaphylactic reactions are treated by prompt administration of adrenaline by injection. It is, therefore, of the utmost importance that parents and guardians immediately advise schools and teachers of children diagnosed with such food allergies.

The Department cannot direct any member of the board of management or teaching staff of the school to administer medical treatment to pupils as they are actions and procedures which are normally carried out by medical professionals such as doctors and nurses. The administration of medicines in primary schools is the subject of an agreement between the Irish National Teachers Organisation and the organisations representing school management at primary level. The Department is not a party to the INTO-CPSMA agreement on the administration of medication.

While this agreement specifies that no teacher can be required to administer medicine or drugs to pupils, it also sets out procedures that must be followed where a teacher or teachers agree to do so. The position is that either the parents of the child should make themselves available to administer medication as required or where they wish the staff in the school to administer it, they should indemnify the school. It is the Department's experience that once the matter has been discussed in detail with the board of management and teachers of a school and once all parties are clear as to the procedures to be followed, arrangements can normally be made to administer the type of medicine which may be required in each case.

The five State-funded colleges of education for primary teaching aim to prepare student teachers to meet the diverse needs of all their pupils. The content of initial teacher education courses is a matter for the individual colleges of education. The extent to which potentially fatal allergies are covered varies in the five colleges. All the colleges have stated that the issue of medical conditions, including allergies, is covered in the lectures dealing with preparation for teaching practice. Some of the colleges cover the topic more extensively outside of preparation for teaching practice. For example, in the Church of Ireland College of Education, third year students in their final semester attend a session on health and safety which specifically covers life threatening allergies. In Froebel College, the topic is highlighted in professional development lectures and early childhood lectures as part of an awareness of critical incidents in primary schools. The colleges have also stated that a large number of students also complete optional first aid courses which cover the issue outside of the formal course requirements.

The Teaching Council has statutory responsibility for the review and accreditation of programmes of initial teacher education and considers all course content in this context. Reviews of four initial teacher education programmes at primary and post-primary level took place on a pilot basis in the 2009 to 2010 academic year. A further four reviews are under way in the current academic year. Teacher education, however, does not end after initial teacher education. The council's policy on teacher education will cover the continuum of teacher education beginning with initial teacher education and entry to the profession, followed by induction, probation and continuing professional development. The outcome of the pilot reviews is shaping the council's proposals on the teacher education continuum as a whole. I understand the council will shortly publish its public consultation paper on its policy for the continuum.

The Teaching Council has published its code of professional conduct for registered teachers which states: "Teachers work with management, students and parents in establishing and maintaining policies which are necessary for a safe and supportive teaching and learning environment". In the actual code of conduct the first statement is: "Teachers should take care of students under their supervision with the aim of ensuring their safety and welfare in so far as is reasonably practicable." Persons or their representative associations who wish to make proposals on this issue would be most welcome to contact the higher education institutions' teacher education providers with a view to providing them with material for health and safety and dietary lectures in respect of the dangers of anaphylactic shock in children. The Health and Safety Authority, HSA, also runs a dedicated health and safety course for teachers. Further information is available on the HSA's web site. I thank the Senator for allowing me the opportunity to outline the Department's position on this issue. I will raise this matter with the Teaching Council without delay.