Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
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415. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills why methods that are archaic and deemed abusive are still being used in a special school; her views on correspondence (details supplied) on the refusal of the school in allowing a child with special needs an education; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2784/16]

Damien English (Meath West, Fine Gael)
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I wish to advise the Deputy that the well-being and safety of children should be at the centre of all policy and practices in schools.

The Board of Management of each school is responsible for the care and safety of all of the pupils in their school and is required to prepare a code of behaviour in accordance with Section 23 of the Education (Welfare) Act 2000.

Schools may seek advice from their local National Educational Psychological Service (NEPS) psychologist, from their NCSE Special Educational Needs Organiser, or from the National Behavioural Support Services, as to how children with behavioural needs can best be supported in school.

Published guidelines which are available to schools include:

- Supporting Students with Behavioural, Emotional, and Social difficulties, which is available on the Department's website, www.education.ie;

- the National Educational Welfare Board (NEWB) guidelines for schools on Developing a Code of Behaviour; and

- the National Educational Psychological Services document Behavioural Emotional and Social Difficulties - a Continuum of Support: Guidelines for Teachers.

My Department, through the Special Education Support Service (SESS), provides continuing professional development (CPD) for teachers working with students with special educational needs, including training for teachers in the area of Challenging Behaviour.

My Department is also currently examining the issue of developing guidelines for schools on the specific issue of the use of physical restraint/intervention.

Where a parent, or any other person, has concerns about the care or safety of a child in school they should report these concerns to the Board of Management of the school in the first instance. Where a parent or other person has a concern about the welfare or protection of a child in a school they may report the matter as a child protection concern to Túsla or to the Department of Education and Skills who will then report any child protection complaint in accordance with my Department's procedures.