Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Senator. I have a couple of questions for the witnesses. It was very interesting listening to them and the questioners. Ms O'Connor spoke about Fortnite. I could educate her on it. I did not know much about it until about 12 months ago but I could now give her a good, solid education on it and, I am not ashamed to say, the rows it causes in my house and, I would think, every other house.

I feel very strongly about this issue. I thank Deputy Ó Cathasaigh for his remarks on my raising this subject as Chair. We put a great deal of work into it. I also thank the clerk to the committee and assistant clerk to the committee for the amount of work they have put into it. I feel very strongly about it. Every member of the committee feels equally strongly about it. Over recent months, it has been like opening up Pandora's box. What has sprung up at each meeting has been very interesting. I have no doubt that we will have a comprehensive and interesting report when we conclude our hearings.

Several witnesses, both today and at previous meetings, have called for anti-bullying procedures for primary and post-primary schools to be updated. The committee published a report on the impact of Covid-19 on primary and secondary education recently. It recommends the updating of the guidelines to include homophobic and transphobic bullying. It will be interesting to hear from the witnesses whether they would like other forms of bullying to be included in the revised guidelines.

In its report, the committee recommends that emotional and therapeutic supports be provided in all schools. I do not expect the Department of Education to roll that out tomorrow morning in every school but there should be a public programme. I have stated this at previous committee meetings. Others have also sought a pilot programme. I do not refer to a role for a career guidance teacher but to dedicated emotional and therapeutic supports in primary and post-primary schools. They would help to alleviate pressure on teachers who may not feel they have the specific qualifications to address the issues that arise. Could we have a brief reply from the three witnesses on it?