Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Independent)
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Question 267: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if there have been examples of inadequate insurance to cover claims made in primary and secondary schools within the lifetime of this Government; if so, the location, the claim type and the reason for inadequate cover; the action her Department took; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13327/07]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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The Boards of Management of primary schools are required to comply with The Constitution of Boards and Rules of Procedure which are revised periodically and agreed through discussions involving representatives of the primary management bodies, the INTO and the National Parents Council — Primary and my Department. Those procedures require each board to put in place comprehensive insurance cover to safeguard the school, the Board and the Trustees.

At second level schools other than those that are Community or Comprehensive Schools take out insurance cover.

Claims arising under these policies are processed directly between boards and their insurers without recourse to my Department and I am not aware of any case where the amount of insurance cover was inadequate to meet the amount of the claim.

In cases where the State or Minister is joined in a personal injuries claim by any party the State Claims Agency is the body appointed by the Government to respond to such claims.

Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Independent)
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Question 268: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the advice her Department has given to schools in relation to the issue of insurance specifically for child protection to boards of management; if the cost of those insurance policies is covered by the capitation grants or by a specific grant; if her Department reviews the insurance cover to ensure it is adequate; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13328/07]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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My Department has provided a range of supports and guidance to schools in the implementation of child protection policy. Child protection guidelines and procedures, based on Children First – the Department of Health & Children's national guidelines, have been issued to all primary and post-primary schools. These guidelines make very clear the reporting and investigation mechanisms to be followed in cases of suspected child abuse wherever they occur and the lead role of the HSE in dealing with such cases. 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 these guidelines. An area of my Department's website (www.education.ie) has been specifically designated to the subject of child protection.

The Boards of Management of primary schools are required to comply with The Constitution of Boards and Rules of Procedure which are revised periodically and agreed through discussions involving representatives of the primary management bodies, the INTO and the National Parents Council — Primary and my Department. Those procedures require each board to put in place comprehensive insurance cover to safeguard the school, the Board and the Trustees.

At second level schools other than those that are Community or Comprehensive Schools take out insurance cover.

My Department provides funding to primary and secondary schools by way of per capita grants, which affords schools considerable flexibility in the use of these resources to cater for the needs of their pupils, including insurance costs.