Pádraic McCormack (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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Question 37: To ask the Minister for Education and Science her views on the implications for her Department which arise from the recently published Ferns Report; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39536/05]

Paul Connaughton Snr (Galway East, Fine Gael)
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Question 55: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the actions she is taking to implement the recommendations of the Ferns Report; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39535/05]

Bernard Allen (Cork North Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 308: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the steps she is taking in view of the findings of the Ferns Report; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40085/05]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 37, 55 and 308 together.

The Ferns Report provides practical and far reaching recommendations to strengthen child protection measures in organisations working with children and to ensure a speedy and effective response to allegations of abuse. The Government has accepted the report's recommendations in principle and is committed to their implementation by Departments and relevant agencies.

My Department is giving full consideration to the findings and recommendations contained in the report and is examining the implications for child protection in schools and other educational establishments under its remit. My Department will also participate fully in the review of compliance with the Children First guidelines which is being undertaken by the National Children's Office under the leadership of the Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children, Deputy Brian Lenihan.

Clearly our educational institutions and policies have a key role to play in the protection of children and in the provision of a safe environment for their learning and development. Over the past 15 years we have brought in child protection guidelines for primary and post-primary schools and clearly defined procedures for reporting allegations or suspicions of child abuse. We have also sought to raise awareness of the issue in the curriculum through social, personal and health education and the Stay Safe programme. The commitment to implement the recommendations of the Ferns Report will contribute to the further strengthening of child protection measures in education.