Mary Wallace (Meath East, Fianna Fail)
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Question 224: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills the criteria and guidelines for one teacher primary schools regarding the requirement for a second adult to be on the premises during school hours; the number of such schools that exist in the country; when it becomes necessary for a second adult to be on the premises; if there are any child welfare and protection issues involved; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19688/10]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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My Department's most recently published information relates to the 2008/09 school year. In that year there were eight primary schools with one teacher. Such schools have less than 12 pupils enrolled.

My Department has issued child protection guidelines to all primary and post primary schools. The guidelines are based on Children First – the Department of Health & Children's national guidelines for the protection and welfare of children.

The responsibility for day to day management of schools is at local school level. Schools are required to take all reasonable precautions to ensure the safety of pupils and to participate in supervising pupils when the pupils are on school premises, during school time and/or on school activities.

In 2002, my Department agreed arrangements for the provision of funding for supervision in respect of mid-morning and lunch-time breaks. Circular 21/02 issued at that time and it set out the agreement and arrangements for payment. Specific arrangements apply in the case of 1, 2 and 3 teacher schools. In one teacher schools a grant equivalent to 122 hours of supervision is paid to the Board of Management for the provision of supervision services which may be facilitated by the appointment of an external supervisor.

In accordance with the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 1989, it is the responsibility of individual school management authorities to have a safety statement in place in their schools. The Statement should identify potential hazards, assess the risks to health and safety and put appropriate provision in place to safeguard the safety and health of employees and pupils. The Safety Statement should be reviewed on a regular basis.