Martin Heydon (Kildare South, Fine Gael)
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Question 93: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills his policies regarding staff in schools being friends with children on facebook; his policies regarding communication by teachers with children via any social media or by phone or text; his plans to address this matter rather than leaving it to individual schools to set their own policy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15894/12]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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Under the provisions of the Education Act 1998, the board of management is the body charged with the direct governance of a school. Schools are required to take all reasonable precautions to ensure the safety of pupils and welfare of their pupils.

From a child protection perspective last Autumn my Department published updated "Child Protection Procedures for Primary and Post-Primary Schools". These procedures are based on the updated "Children First – National Guidance for the Protection and Welfare of Children 2011".

The new procedures incorporate significant improvements to the previous school guidelines and are intended to better ensure consistent and uniform implementation of Children First across all schools. The improvements include a new template child protection policy, a requirement that all primary schools fully implement the Stay Safe programme and also put in place improved oversight arrangements at Board of Management level.

The new procedures recognise that child protection and welfare considerations permeate all aspects of school life and should be reflected in all of the school's policies, practices and activities. The procedures also specifically require that a school's child protection policy confirm that all school policies, practices and activities will adhere to certain principles of best practice in child protection and welfare.

In relation to the specific query raised by the Deputy I find it difficult to envisage how, in the normal course of events, it would be appropriate for teachers or other school staff to communicate with their pupils through social media websites.