Denis Naughten (Longford-Roscommon, Fine Gael)
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Question 388: To ask the Minister for Education and Science, further to Question No. 485 of 29 November 2005, if she is satisfied that the child protection guidelines are being implemented by schools; the steps that she has taken to ensure that the guidelines are being applied in all schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14084/06]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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The authorities of primary and post-primary schools are required to implement the child protection guidelines issued by my Department and I have no information to suggest that this requirement is not being met.

The Deputy will be aware that the inspectorate conducts whole-school evaluations or WSE on schools. As part of the WSE, the inspectors evaluate the implementation of the board of management's policies and procedures as part of the evaluation of management. They inquire about the procedures and policies the board has put in place arising from the adoption of the child protection guidelines; the name of the person who has been appointed as the designated liaison person or DLP for the school on foot of the guidelines; how the board communicates these policies to members of staff and to other members of the school community; and how the board reviews the effectiveness of the school's child protection measures.

Where an inspector finds that a school is not complying with its obligations in relation to child protection, or has any other concerns about child protection measures in the school, the inspector discusses the matter with the board of management and the principal and makes recommendations for remediation.

In-service training on the Department's child protection guidelines has been provided to primary and post-primary principals and teachers appointed as designated liaison persons or DLPs in relation to child protection. More than 4,000 primary teachers have availed of training and proposals are under consideration for further information and training seminars. At post-primary level, an estimated 75% of schools had availed of the in-service training programme by the end of the 2004-05 school year and it is anticipated that most if not all schools will have had a management or staff person trained in the guidelines by the end of the current school year.

A follow-on half day closure for each post-primary school was approved to allow DLPs to brief school personnel on the Department guidelines. A telephone advisory service for DLPs has been established by the post-primary management bodies to assist them in delivering in-school briefings and in dealing with issues arising. In addition, a CD-ROM containing a resource pack for staff briefings was prepared by the joint managerial body for issue to schools.