Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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Question 216: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the supports available to one teacher schools to allow for the full implementation and monitoring of all child protection procedures and requirements in the school; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31669/12]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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My Department has recently published updated "Child Protection Procedures for Primary and Post-Primary Schools". These procedures are based on the recently published "Children First – National Guidance for the Protection and Welfare of Children 2011" and apply to all primary and post-primary schools, irrespective of size.

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.

Continuing Professional Development (CPD) on the recently published Child Protection Procedures has been offered to all Designated Liaison Persons or Deputy Designated Liaison Persons appointed since 2009. The Professional Development Service for Teachers (PDST) provided a one day Child Protection seminar in local Education Centres with a total of 44 seminars arranged to date. My Department also provided funding for substitution cover for attendance at these seminars. In addition, a two-hour evening information workshop on the revised procedures was provided by PDST to all other Designated Liaison and Deputy Designated Liaison Persons in order to give an update on the key changes and requirements. A total of 35 information sessions have been arranged across the network of education centres. Furthermore, the Child Abuse Prevention Programme continues to provide staff training and additional support and advice for schools and boards of management on the Stay Safe Programme, on the development of child protection policies and protocols and on liaising with relevant agencies in health and education.