Probe into claim that school’s special needs assistant works in couple’s home

An investigation has been launched by the Department of Education into an allegation that a special needs assistant allocated to a school is working out of a private home.

The school in question is also being investigated by the Data Protection Commissioner on foot of a complaint that CCTV is being used throughout the school grounds and working spaces.

Both investigations were commenced soon after a new principal took up employment at the special school in south Dublin.

It is understood that the new principal became aware of practices and documentation which concerned him, after which he contacted the department.

His queries led to an investigation being commenced into the school.

In particular, the department is concerned about the possibility that an SNA who has been allocated to the school does not present for work.

Instead, the SNA is believed to work in the private home of a married couple, one of whom is a member of the school management, and the other a member of the school board.

The department has received information that the SNA may have been working in this capacity for a number of years.

The school in question was set up by parents of children with special needs more than a decade ago. It receives funding from the Department of Education for a number of SNAs, as well as teaching staff.

Under the rules for employment of SNAs, there are no circumstances in which they can be based in the home of a parent or staff member.

The complaint about CCTV was received by the Data Protection Commissioner in the last week.

It alleges cameras are trained on all locations in the school grounds, including the work spaces of all staff. The complainant alleges that the cameras can be viewed remotely. The Department of Education refused to comment.

A spokeswoman for Data Protection Commissioner Billy Hawkes said a complaint about CCTV use in a south Dublin school is being followed up.