Olwyn Enright (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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Question 379: To ask the Minister for Education and Science when policies for schools on disclosure and appropriate referral where children have experienced violence in the home will be introduced; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34748/05]

Damien English (Meath, Fine Gael)
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Question 391: To ask the Minister for Education and Science when policies will be introduced for schools on disclosure and appropriate referral where children have experienced violence in the family; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34779/05]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 379 and 391 together.

Child protection guidelines for primary and post-primary schools, which were distributed to primary and post-primary schools in 2001 and 2004 respectively, were produced in consultation with the partners in education to meet the needs for schools to have in place clear procedures which teachers and other school staff should follow where they suspect, or are alerted to, possible child abuse.

The guidelines cover four different types of abuse; neglect, emotional abuse, physical abuse and sexual abuse. The guidelines provide management authorities and staff with guidance on recognising the signs and symptoms of child abuse and with procedures for dealing immediately with such concerns.

A central facet of the guidelines is the requirement for each board of management to designate a senior member of staff as the designated liaison person for the school. The designated liaison person will act as a liaison for the school in all dealings with the Health Service Executive, the Garda Síochána and other parties, in connection with allegations of and/or concerns about child abuse and as a resource person to staff who may have child protection concerns.