Ms Suzanne Connolly:

I will speak briefly on the roots of empathy. We have been delivering it since 2011, and 18,631 children have benefitted from it. It is in 20 counties. It is being done predominantly through word of mouth. A volunteer mother or father or both come in with their baby. It is up to the age of a year. It is delivered in primary school between the ages of five and 12. It has been proven. There is numerous research at the highest level and randomised control trials in terms of it reducing aggression and bullying in schools.

I thank the Senator for her interest. If anybody wishes to see it, it really warms the heart. It is wonderful. Even for children with very challenging needs in the school who find it difficult to sit still or to concentrate, as soon as a baby comes in the baby takes over. The children then see their peers differently through observing the way they are with the baby. The teacher gets a chance to see what is happening in the classroom differently. They get a chance to talk about the baby's development after the session. There are three sessions in all in consecutive weeks. It is a fabulous programme. It is very effective.