Teachers angry at delays in inquiries

TEACHERS’ unions are angry at continued delays in dealing with complaints against members facing allegations of misconduct, including sexual or physical abuse of pupils.

Their concerns come as it emerged gardaí are investigating allegations of sexual abuse made against a secondary school teacher in Cork. There are 14 primary and 11 secondary teachers on suspension on full pay awaiting the outcome of investigations, in some cases for up to five years. There have been at least three new cases since the end of June in primary schools in Leinster, where five Dublin teachers and four others are on suspension with pay. A number of cases involve abuse of pupils, but other suspensions are the result of less serious incidents such as refusing to comply with school rules or other disciplinary matters.

While teachers accept that all matters have to be investigated fully in the interest of justice, their representatives are upset at the lengthy time scale involved in some cases. “We have expressed concern repeatedly about this because we have a small number of members who are out of school a number of years while these matters are investigated,” said an Irish National Teachers Organisation spokesperson.