Thomas Byrne (Meath East, Fianna Fail)
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160. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the funding that has been allocated to schools to implement the child abuse prevention programme; and his views on whether this is adequate. [22750/17]

Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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The Professional Development Service for Teachers (PDST) has responsibility for supporting the implementation of the revised and updated Stay Safe Programme. The Stay Safe Programme was developed by a group called the Child Abuse Prevention Programme and a framework of CPD support is currently being rolled out. The Continuing Professional Development (CPD) Framework which PDST has developed in this regard includes support for both the revised Stay Safe programme and the revised Walk Tall materials for primary schools.

I am pleased to advise the Deputy that this programme of support is now well underway and I am satisfied that the necessary resources are available to PDST to implement the CPD Framework. The costs associated with both the CPD and the suite of support material available to schools are met by my Department and are not allocated to schools.

The programme of work associated with the Stay Safe programme is funded as part of the overall PDST Health and Wellbeing budget which has an overall allocation for 2017 of almost €1.8m, including personnel costs.

My Department is also providing funding through the PDST Wellbeing budget  for child protection training.

The Deputy will also be aware that the Children First Act 2015 will, when fully commenced by the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, put elements of the Children First-National Guidance for the Protection and Welfare of Children on a statutory footing. The commencement of the 2015 Act will result in the publication of a new Children First which in turn will necessitate changes to the existing Child Protection Procedures for schools. The 2015 Act also provides that Tusla will issue guidance in relation to the Act’s requirements in respect of Child Safeguarding Statements.

My Department has commenced a review of the existing child protection procedures for schools in consultation with the relevant education partners. This  review will take account of the statutory provisions of the Children First Act 2015 and, when available, the updated Children First and guidance on child safeguarding published by Tusla in accordance with the Act.

My Department’s training on child protection will in turn be updated to take account of the new procedures for schools.