Joe McHugh (Donegal, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Everybody will have a copy.

Has school-based counselling been tried and tested? A lot of work has been done on the well-being policy as it relates to the Australian model but also in relation to mental wellness at primary school level. I am in total agreement that it has to start at early stages for young people when they are entering a different world and there is an overload of information and they are dealing with all sorts of anxiety challenges. I agree with the committee.

There was a commitment in the programme for partnership Government for 65 NEPS psychologists. We are up to 31, so we are not there yet.

The Deputy also asked about maternity cover and maternity leave. If there are critical incidents and they are needed for support when somebody is on maternity leave then that will be provided. There is a National Educational Psychological Service, NEPS, psychologist to respond to queries and there is access to NEPS support and development work. There is no panel as far as I am aware but it is something that we need to work towards and I am happy to do that.

On looking after teachers, the text messages have already come in with anecdotal advice and information but I am getting a sense that there is information fatigue or initiative overload-----