Seán Sherlock (Cork East, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 32: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if he has held discussions with the patron of a school (details supplied) in Dublin 7 in view of the whole school evaluation report published by him; his views on passing the report to the Director of Public Prosecutions in view of the allegations made in the report with respect to child welfare and abuse of State moneys; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26670/09]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

As the Deputy will be aware, on Thursday 18 June, the Inspectorate of my Department published a whole-school evaluation report on the school in question. The WSE report described a highly unsatisfactory situation at the school in relation to the quality of educational provision.

I have already expressed my very great concern regarding the serious weaknesses that were identified in the report including poor teaching and learning, inadequacies in relation to child protection policies and unacceptable standards in the general management of the school.

As part of the WSE process, the inspectors who conducted the evaluation have made detailed recommendations and have directly advised the school authorities and staff regarding the improvements the school must undertake. In addition, given the seriousness of the weaknesses evident in the school, senior officials of my Department have met recently on a number of occasions with the Patron of the school and the chairperson of the board of management to impress on them the need for change and improvement in the operation of the school.

The representatives of the school have accepted the findings and recommendations in the report. The patron has confirmed that a child protection policy has been drawn up and is currently being ratified by the board of management, and that the teachers have received training in its implementation.

An account of expenditure since the current board took office in January 2008 has been submitted to the Department and the school representatives have also confirmed to my Department that the matter of the school accounts is currently being pursued with the school's accountant and that it is anticipated that accounts will be available shortly.

Officials in my Department will hold further meetings with the school authorities to ensure that all the issues raised in the report are addressed including any matters relating to the school's management of funds.

I am satisfied that the measures being taken by my Department are appropriate for now.

I can assure the Deputy that my officials will continue to engage closely with the patron and the board and that the quality of the school's work will be monitored through inspection visits during the coming school year. I expect that significant improvements will result.