Paul Murphy (Dublin South West, RISE) | Oireachtas source

On the issue of mental health, the figures referenced in Ms Lynch's opening remarks and the survey to which she referred are striking. She stated that 11% of parents believe their child will need additional support from someone outside the family to help with anxiety and that 45% of those parents believe the child will need professional therapeutic support. The parents of 5% of children in primary schools are saying - and I believe them - that their child will need a professional therapeutic service. The truth is that that level of service is not available. There is already a difficulty whereby much in-school counselling is carried out by people who have more training in career advice than in mental health or psychotherapy. Is there a need for extra mental health supports? I refer to stepping up mental health support within schools. There should be a roll-out of mental health programmes, with professionals running classes and fully trained psychotherapy and counselling services being available within schools. The area is underfunded but such services are available in universities. There is probably a general need for such services in schools, but that need is highlighted at this time.