Principals raise Child Protection issues with Barry Andrews, TD

The Irish Primary Principals’ Network (IPPN)today highlighted the frustration experienced by many Principals at the lack of adequate response from the HSE locally when they report their concerns about children at risk.

Outlining the findings of a recent IPPN survey, Assistant Director Virginia O’Mahony commented ‘Principals are encountering increased incidence of emotional and behavioural disturbance, depression and neglect among primary school children.’ In the survey, Principals identified neglect as the most common form of abuse experienced by children.

IPPN stressed to the Minister the importance of developing a positive mental health programme for primary schools and an increase in the time allocation for Social Personal and Health Education (SPHE), which is currently given 30 minutes per week.

IPPN told Minister Andrews that further training in Child Protection must be provided for Principals and Deputy Principals to enable them fulfil their role of Designated Liaison Person, a role which is now mandatory in all schools to report suspicions of child abuse to the Gardaí and the HSE.

Arising from the recent budget, President of IPPN, Larry Fleming stated ‘Principals welcome the introduction of one year’s free pre-school education but we question whether the grants for pre-school provision will be adequate and whether they will reach those in greatest need.’

The Irish Primary Principals'' Network (http://www.ippn.ie/) is the officially recognised professional body for the Principals and Deputy Principals of Primary Schools. IPPN is an official Education Partner, which means it has consultative status with the Department of Education and Science and other education agencies.  IPPN articulates the collective knowledge and professional experience of 6,600 Principals and Deputy Principals and the day-to-day reality of over 500,000 children being educated in Ireland’s 3,300 Primary Schools.