John Perry (Sligo-North Leitrim, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Senator for affording me the opportunity, on behalf of my colleague, the Minister for Education and Skills, Deputy Ruairí Quinn, to clarify the position in respect of the matter raised. The investigation conducted by the Department of Education and Skills relates to an analysis of files held in that Department. This was done on foot of recent media reports concerning allegations of child abuse involving a former teacher and head of a summer college. Under the Education Act 1998, the Department of Education and Skills provides funding and policy directions for schools. Neither the Minister nor the Department has legal powers to investigate allegations of child abuse, statutory responsibility for which rests with the Health Service Executive and An Garda Síochána.

The media reports concerning allegations against the person in question are of great concern. The Department has standard procedures in place for dealing with any allegations of child abuse that are brought to the attention of its staff. Under these procedures, the Department does not make any judgment on the allegations brought to its attention but instead ensures that the details thereof are immediately passed on to the relevant investigatory authorities, including the school authorities, the HSE and An Garda Síochána. The analysis of records conducted by departmental officials shows one notification of concern regarding the individual in question, which was reported to the Department in 2012. This was dealt with in accordance with the Department's procedures and reported at that time to the HSE and An Garda Síochána. No other record was found from the analysis of files in the Department. Departmental officials are, however, in ongoing co-operation with the Garda's investigation into the matter.

In regard to child protection arrangements for primary and post-primary schools, the most recent update of these procedures was done in September 2011 in order to reflect the updating of the Children First national guidance published in July 2011. These updated procedures incorporate significant improvements to the previous school guidelines and are intended to ensure consistent and uniform implementation of the Children First guidelines across all schools.