Ms M?ir?n N? Ch?ileachair:

Tá Cumann Múinteoirí Éireann thar a bheith buíoch as ucht an deis labhairt os comhair an chomhchoiste.

We ask the committee to note that over the years the INTO has highlighted the topic of mental health. At its annual congress in 2022 a comprehensive motion was passed on the mental health of primary school children. Our education consultative conference in 2021 had a focus on well-being and mental health. Mental health was included as a topic at our equality conference in 2013.

We want the committee to note that the culture in which Irish primary schools operate is one that strives to be safe, healthy and inclusive for all pupils regardless of social background, race, self-identity and learning needs. Primary teachers are profoundly aware of the importance of the well-being of their pupils. The challenge of protecting the mental health and well-being of primary school children must not be underestimated.

National research carried out with children and young people by the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland in 2013 suggests that approximately one in three young people will have experienced some type of mental disorder by the age of 13. This rate rises to more than one in two by the age of 24 years when intervention does not take place. This is more than 50%. Research conducted by Dublin City University in 2017 found that the psychological well-being needs of children in primary school are complex. This research identified a range and severity of difficulties that children present with in primary schools. It also focused on the varied family and cultural contexts that are a feature of their daily lives. Critical incidents of a serious nature that schools deal with include separation, divorce, marital breakdown, anxiety, bullying, cyberbullying, self-harm, suicidal ideation, eating disorders and sexual identity issues. All of these impact on the mental health of children.

Ireland's child and adolescent mental health services are experiencing significant difficulties. These have been well publicised and include a lack of services at community and school level, difficulties in recruiting qualified staff and excessive waiting lists for specialist mental health treatment services. School principals have reported wait times of up to four years in some cases. This is unacceptable and cannot continue.

The service that engages with children on an almost daily basis is the school. Schools and school personnel must be supported by all other services when nurturing the positive mental health of pupils. It is acknowledged that our mental health is influenced by our daily lives and that the foundation of good mental health starts in our youth. In other jurisdictions, schools are recognised as the optimal venue for youth mental health promotion and prevention programmes as they are the only venue where all children and adolescents in society can be reached. In those jurisdictions mental health professionals work in schools, alongside teachers, to support the mental health of pupils.

The Covid-19 pandemic has exacerbated stress and anxiety among children. During school closures some pupils regressed not only in their learning but also in their social and emotional well-being. Guidance published by the Department of Education in September 2020 advised that well-being be prioritised in our schools. Teachers recognise the impact the trauma of the pandemic has had and seek increased resources for primary school teachers to adequately support children's mental health in the months and years ahead.

At its congress in April 2022 the INTO noted the dearth of mental health support services for primary school children. During the debate on children’s mental health delegates reported that more and more children present in primary school classrooms experiencing anxiety, poor mental health and poor emotional well-being. The congress called for increased National Educational Psychological Service, NEPS, provision for schools and clarity regarding the level of provision that schools can expect, a national framework to inform the development of counselling services for primary school children and resources to introduce on-site school counselling in primary schools in line with international best practice. We are delighted to welcome the Minister's recent announcement of €5 million to fund a pilot programme of counselling supports in primary schools. We look forward to her engagement with stakeholders on the matter.

We note that Government policy dictates that all mental health and other professional services are provided in the community. There is extensive international research to indicate that services co-located in schools experience a higher level of engagement and success. We would argue that schools are an integral part of the community of children and families and ask the Government to re-examine and redefine "community" in this context.

The INTO recommends that schools are provided with adequate, age-appropriate supports for children presenting with mental health difficulties, increased NEPS provision for schools, the development of a national framework to inform the development of counselling services for primary school children and funding and resources for this. It also recommends increased funding for child and adolescent mental health services and sufficient up-to-date professional development supports for teachers. The INTO recognises the urgency in providing mental health supports for primary school pupils, especially at school level.

They must be properly resourced and meet the needs of the school community. We remain committed to the support of the pupils in our care.

Ba mhaith liom mo bhuíochas a ghabháil leis an gcomhchoiste as ucht éisteacht liom inniú.