Chris Andrews (Dublin South East, Fianna Fail)
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Question 581: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if he has in place child protection guidelines for schools when they are required to use swimming pools and sports facilities changing rooms in public facilities; if not, his plans to bring in guidelines; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2970/10]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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My Department's child protection guidelines for schools are based on Children First – the Department of Health & Children's national guidelines for the protection and welfare of children.

In accordance with a school's duty of care to it pupils, each school authority should have in place appropriate practices and procedures to ensure the safety and protection of its pupils in all aspects of its activities including during swimming and other sports activities.

The Deputy will be aware that, in anticipation of the review and recent updating of Children First, my Department wrote to all the education partners last Autumn inviting submissions from them on potential changes that might be desirable to the Department's existing child protection guidelines to schools. The education partners were also invited to participate in a working party to review the guidelines and the working party commenced its work before Christmas.

I have also recently re-iterated my view that ensuring that the Stay Safe Programme is implemented in all schools to ensure child safety is important and it for this reason that I have stated my intention to have it included as a mandatory requirement for all schools.