Written answers

Wednesday, 27 September 2006

Department of Education and Science

Child Protection

8:00 pm

Photo of Finian McGrathFinian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
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Question 1231: To ask the Minister for Education and Science her plans to deal with children suffering from domestic violence which can lead to poor exam results, low self esteem and future aggression and adjustment problems. [28346/06]

Photo of Mary HanafinMary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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As Minister for Education and Science I am always concerned for the general welfare of children and any negative experience that interferes with a child's potential for learning is of particular concern to me.

The Department issued new child protection guidelines to primary schools in 2001 and to post-primary schools in 2004. These guidelines, which are based on the Department of Health and Children national guidelines Children First, set out the steps to be followed by a school in dealing with allegations or suspicions of child abuse. The Guidelines state that the protection and wellbeing of the child is the most important consideration in dealing with such cases.

The Children First guidelines for schools require each board of management to designate a senior member of staff, normally the principal, as the Designated Liaison Person (DLP) for the school. The DLP acts as a liaison person with the health authorities and other agencies on child protection issues and as a resource person to any staff member who has concerns in this regard. Where there are reasonable grounds for an allegation or suspicion of child abuse, the school DLP should report the matter without delay to the Health Services Executive (HSE) which has statutory responsibility for child protection.

The Department has provided an extensive in-service training programme for school principals and teachers to assist them in dealing with child protection issues and in implementing the Department guidelines.

The teaching of a personal safety programme to ensure child protection is now an integral element of Social, Personal and Health Education. SPHE was introduced to the primary curriculum in September 2003 and is also part of the junior cycle curriculum at post-primary level.

In addition, a guidance and counselling service is available in all post primary schools.

The National Education Psychological Service (NEPS) of my Department provides an educational psychological service to primary and post primary schools. NEPS also supports all schools in the context of traumatic incidents that affect the school community, arising from violence that might occur in the home or in the community.

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