Parents raise child protection concerns

UP to 20 Clare parents have requested the intervention of Bishop of Killaloe, Dr Kieran O’Reilly to deal with a child protection issue in a local school.

 

A diocesan spokesman has confirmed that Bishop O’Reilly has received in the region of 12 letters, some of which were signed by more than one set of parents, expressing concern about this issue.

The spokesman stated the school board of management, who are dealing with the situation satisfactorily, enjoy the full confidence of the bishop. The spokesman declined to comment any further.

The Clare Champion has learned that the Department of Education are conducting a review into the application of child protection procedures in relation to an issue at the school, while this matter was also referred to the department’s child welfare section.

Closed circuit television cameras were reportedly installed last April in a number of school classrooms, which are regularly used by pupils and staff.

It is understood the operation of the cameras was suspended for a period when a complaint was filed by the Office of the Data Protection Commission (DPC).

Shortly afterwards, the cameras were restored after parents were informed the DPC found the use of these cameras was deemed to be acceptable.

Responding to Clare Champion queries, the DPC stated its investigation in relation to this matter is nearing conclusion.

“The outcome of our investigation will be conveyed to the parties to the complaint in due course. This office does not generally comment publicly in relation to specific complaints made by individuals to this office,” stated a DPC spokesman.

Another source said the school seems to have applied all the procedures correctly in this case.

However, the source stressed parents are not happy with the lack of official information being provided by the HSE in response to a number of legitimate queries.

As the school gets ready to close for the summer recess this Friday, parents are hoping this issue will be fully resolved to everyone’s satisfaction before it re-opens in late August or early September.

The HSE hadn’t responded to a number of Clare Champion queries at the time of going to press, while efforts to contact the school principal proved unsuccessful on Wednesday.