Written answers

Tuesday, 27 January 2009

Department of Education and Science

Stay Safe Programme

9:00 pm

Photo of Brian HayesBrian Hayes (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 1408: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the progress in regard to the commitment given in the programme for Government to require all primary schools to implement the Stay Safe child abuse protection programme. [47966/08]

Photo of Batt O'KeeffeBatt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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Continuing Professional Development to support the implementation of the Stay Safe programme is provided by the Child Abuse Prevention Programme (CAPP). Results of a survey on the uptake of Stay Safe carried out by CAPP and my Department in 2006 showed that at that time: 2,514 schools (84.19%) were providing the programme 472 (15.81%) were not providing the programme, and 263 schools (8.8%) of respondents) were not teaching the sections on inappropriate sexual contact and secrecy.

Of the 472 schools that were not teaching stay safe, 240 (8.0% of respondents) reported that child abuse prevention was covered as part of the curriculum. Following this survey my Department has been taking a targeted approach to the provision of training.

Two additional primary school teachers were seconded to CAPP in September 2007 to assist with this training which is being directed at those schools that had indicated they are not implementing the programme.

The following table illustrates the most up to date position in relation to the provision of training by CAPP for teachers in the 635 schools that were either not providing the programme, or not teaching particular sections of it:

Total in Target Group — 635;

Training Delivered / Organised — 390;

Ongoing — 202;

Declined — 43.

In addition to this targeted training, CAPP continues to provide in-service training and support to all primary schools on request. In the 2007/2008 school year CAPP has provided training to approximately 615 schools, over 5,000 teachers and 1,100 special needs assistants. Since the survey results from 31/10/06 the totals for CAPP staff training organised are:

Schools in Target Group: 390;

Other Schools (by request): 667;

Total Schools: 1,057.

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