Dessie Ellis (Dublin North West, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Secondary schools were mentioned. There is also a problem in our primary schools. How do we identify the young people at risk and where is the first port of call for them? It was mentioned that they do not want to go into a HSE service. We have to develop placements and identify those at risk at an early age. We need a continuous programme within our schools, primary and secondary, with perhaps a particular day or week set aside for engagement with the principals, teachers and the pupils on problem areas.

Previously, when a pupil was frequently absent from school there would be follow-up by an educational welfare officer. As far as I am aware, this post no longer exists. This oversight helped to identify children who had problems and needed to be directed towards engagement with services. Consideration should be given to the reintroduction of that service.

In my earlier contribution I mentioned cyberbullying. This matter can only be addressed through engagement with the schools and those affected. There are a few areas on which I think we need to do a bit more work.