Principals' Applaud Decisive Action by Ministers Fitzgerald & Shatter
- Published: 13 July 2011
The Irish Primary Principals’ Network (IPPN) welcomes the decision to place on a statutory footing, the Children First Guidelines, and the procedures for reporting suspicion of child abuse to the Gardaí and the HSE. This means that there will no longer be ‘guidelines’, as they will now be legally binding procedures. IPPN also welcomes the fact that the same procedures will apply throughout the country, and no longer be subject to local interpretation.
The decision to severely punish anyone who withholds information about the sexual abuse of children is long overdue. Defining this as a criminal offence will be welcomed by Principal Teachers around the country. Fear of the negative fall-out, which occurs when reports are filed with the HSE and Gardaí, particularly where there may be suspicion, but not hard evidence of abuse has traditionally placed Principal teachers in a difficult situation.
From now on, there is no dilemma and ultimately the safety of children will be prioritised over the protection of individuals in authority and institutions.
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