Seán Crowe (Dublin South West, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

To ask the Minister for Education and Skills his views on the findings of an Impact study that found 60% of special needs assistants SNAs in schools say they have been assaulted by the pupils they work with in the classroom; and his further views that persons working in schools should be afforded the same protection via a physical assault scheme that is available to staff working in the public health sector.; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17571/13]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The health and safety of school staff and pupils is a fundamental aspect of the day-to-day management of schools. My Department has a role in supporting schools in relation to how they discharge those responsibilities.

The survey conducted by IMPACT can be valuable in informing best practice in schools and I hope it will be made available to my Department and others.

On receipt of the survey I will ask my Department to bring it to the attention of the various organisations who represent school management. This will enable the management of schools who employ special needs assistants to take the findings of this survey into account when preparing or reviewing their school safety statement and arrangements.