Ms Nuala Ward:

The Deputy is correct, I am not the right person to ask about the curriculum. We are constantly scanning what is going on. My understanding is that the Department of Education has produced a guidance note for teachers on the Ukrainian curriculum but I do not know about comparisons. Internationally there are some excellent resources led by the UN but I do not know how much that has filtered down. I imagine if you spoke to teachers they would say there is very little out there but I cannot speak for the teachers. It is really important for outcomes and the children's educational achievements in a few years that we can answer what we have done for them. The Deputy's point about Ukrainian language is really good. I am curious now and I will ask because it is very important. If Irish children were going to another country we would want English and Irish language as well, if possible.

The Ombudsman for Children, Dr. Niall Muldoon has been before the committee to discuss bullying and mental health and this committee made a strong recommendation on expanding the NEPS service to be able to provide therapeutic services to children in schools. I do not know where we are yet. It is a really critical point. Barnardos shares our view. We are passionate on this. We spoke to children in inpatient units around the country some years ago for the report "Take My Hand". All the children said it would be so beneficial if they had counsellors in their schools in a place where they are comfortable and they know they can talk. That is what they want. We have a long way to go to achieve that but we must get there. The report we will publish in a couple of weeks is about forward planning for special educational places for children with special educational needs.