Joe Costello (Dublin Central, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 201: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the number of schools that do not offer the Stay Safe programme to their students; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5080/07]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Over recent months, the Child Abuse Protection Programme (CAPP), which operates the 'Stay Safe' programme, sent a questionnaire to all primary schools that sought to get the most up-to-date and accurate position about the implementation of 'Stay Safe'.

To date, 3,014 (91.5%) of the 3,292 primary schools have returned completed questionnaires. This is a very good response rate for a survey of this kind but the CAPP, in conjunction with my Department are still seeking to achieve a full return as possible. On the basis of the completed questionnaires, preliminary analysis shows that 2,531 (84%) of schools are teaching 'Stay Safe' and 483 (16%) are not. However, as 68 of the schools that did not return questionnaires are known from records to be teaching the 'Stay Safe' Programme, it can be stated that 2,599 of schools (79% of all schools) are teaching the programme.

However, it should be noted that of the 483 schools which reported that they were not teaching 'Stay Safe', 277 reported that child abuse prevention was covered as part of the curriculum using the other resources. Therefore, in overall terms, 2,876 schools (87%) are either teaching the 'Stay Safe' programme or they are teaching child abuse prevention using other resources.

It should be noted, however, that while the 'Stay Safe' Programme is not mandatory, the teaching of a personal safety Programme to ensure child protection is now an integral element of the curricular subject of Social, Personal and Health Education (SPHE). This is one of the eleven subject areas of the revised primary curriculum which is mandatory for all primary schools.

The introduction of SPHE as a subject on the revised Primary School Curriculum, combined with the implementation of the national Child Protection Guidelines, Children First, gave an additional impetus to the 'Stay Safe' Programme. The combined impact of these developments has ensured that child protection issues remain central to teaching and learning in our schools. It also ensures that a high level of awareness and necessary skills to address child protection issues is maintained in all schools.

The questionnaire responses by those schools who reported that they were neither teaching 'Stay Safe' or covering child abuse prevention using the other resources are currently being analysed to examine the reasons for this situation. Once this has been done, it is envisaged that the CAPP will contact these schools directly to address the matter.

It should be noted that My Department has sent a Circular on Child Protection and Procedures for Primary Schools (Primary Circular 0061/2006) to the Chairpersons and Principals of all primary schools. This draws attention to the crucial importance of schools following closely the Child Protection Guidelines and Procedures which were based on the Children First national guidelines issued by the Department of Health and Children and specifically adapted to cater for primary school settings.

The main aim of these guidelines is to give direction and guidance to school management and staff in dealing with allegations or suspicions of child abuse, with the protection and well-being of the child being the most important consideration. It is vitally important that each school has clear and effective child protection procedures in place. One essential procedure is that schools have nominated a senior staff member, usually the Principal, as designated Liaison Person (DLP) for the school. This DLP is responsible for ensuring that the standard reporting procedures is followed so that suspected cases of child abuse are referred promptly to the Health Service Executive or An Garda Síochána.