Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire (Cork South Central, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Gabhaim míle buíochas leis na finnéithe. Táimid an-bhuíoch as an deis caint leo. Is fíor go bhfuil géarchéim inár gcuid scoileanna ó thaobh an brú atá ar ár ndaoine óga. The mental health pressures faced by young people cannot be dealt with in schools alone. There is no question of that. The pressures they face come from all aspects of society and we could have a big discussion about whether it is the loosening of the binds of community, the pressure of exams and whatever perceived success is, all kinds of other things and social media. This is beyond the remit of the committee but the fact is our CAMHS system is so profoundly under-resourced and struggling so badly. To give an example that I think the speakers will be familiar with it but for anyone listening in who is not, I have come across instances where there are young people who are self-harming but are believed to have inadequate suicidality to be admitted to CAMHS. That is a person with a severe crisis who is very much at risk and cannot access CAMHS. That is the situation we have and it is important to put that on the record.

There are challenges and pressures but we do have opportunities in schools. Every child should be attending school so there are opportunities there and a lot of good work happening.

There are challenges and pressures that go with schools but we have an opportunity. Every child attends or should attend school so opportunities are available. A lot of good work is happening and is welcome.

This is not a question. I agree with the point Ms Hughes made about the inequality that exists for educational psychologists. That needs to be addressed because a lot of labour by educational psychologists is not being adequately recognised or properly supported. I also agree with the point Mr. Honer made about SNAs not having the flexibility or opportunity to take additional days. My questions are primarily for the INTO and the ISSU.

I will ask the INTO about the new programme which I welcome. Has there been any engagement directly with the INTO about how this will be rolled out and what it will look at or are we at the early stages?

Dúirt Máirín rud éigin faoi féachaint arís ar conas mar a dheantear cur síos ar phobal sa comhthéacs seo. We talk about re-examining and redefining community in this context. What does Ms Ni Chéileachair mean by that? Will she flesh that out? I am conscious that dealing with mental health in schools is not only about crisis intervention and counselling. Is there any scope for early intervention or emotional well-being resources or do those perhaps exist? I am looking at the time and conscious I need to allow some for responses.

Ms Foley is the person here representing those currently in the school system. There are already many excellent guidance counsellors. Will Ms Foley give the committee an insight into the experience of the members of the ISSU of how the guidance counselling system is working and perhaps where she feels it is not working?

I ask Ms Leydon of the ASTI to expand on the point made as to why this is not being considered for the post-primary sector. Guidance counselling is available at post-primary level but that is perhaps a different animal from what is being talked about in this pilot.

I will leave it at that. There is plenty to respond to in that. I ask the three witnesses to respond.