Mairéad Farrell (Galway West, Sinn Fein)
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955. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she will confirm that she has been written to on seven occasions since April 2021 by a family (details supplied) regarding allegations of historical child abuse and sexual harassment and a failure of school management to deal with these issues; the reason the family never got a response beyond an acknowledgements of the receipt of these letters, despite the Children’s Ombudsman making a recommendation, the matter being referred to An Garda Síochána, and then to the DPP; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19997/25]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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The Department of Education takes child protection matters very seriously and considers the protection and welfare of children to be a fundamental responsibility of all involved in the care and education of children.

The Department of Education has no powers to investigate child protection concerns. Tusla has statutory responsibility to assess all reports of child welfare and protection concerns. An Garda Síochána has statutory responsibility for the safety and welfare of children and for the decision on the direction of any criminal investigation.

In June 2021 my Department issued correspondence to the complainant outlining how the allegations would be dealt with. As outlined in my previous response, any concern or allegation of a child protection nature received by staff in the Department of Education is dealt with in accordance with the Department’s Procedures for responding to Child Protection Concerns which come to the attention of staff employed by the Department of Education. In this instance, the relevant procedures were adhered to and Tusla, An Garda Síochána and the relevant school authority were informed of the concern raised.

As stated previously, under these procedures, the Department does not make any judgement on the concerns which come to its attention and ensures that the details of the concern are immediately passed on to the relevant authorities, that is Tusla - the Child and Family Agency, and An Garda Síochána. The school authority is also informed of the alleged concern received.

The Ombudsman for Children advised that the matter be investigated. Tusla has statutory responsibility to assess all reports of child welfare and protection concerns. Tusla assesses the information received and the child and family’s situation and provides appropriate social work intervention and family support services. The role of An Garda Síochána is to investigate alleged crimes. Where it is suspected that a crime has been committed, An Garda Síochána has overall responsibility for the direction of any criminal investigation. It is the function of An Garda Síochána to interview and take any statements that will form part of the criminal investigation file. The Department of Education has no powers to investigate child protection concerns.