Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

This week is well-being week, with a huge number of initiatives being rolled out in primary schools across the country. Will the Minister liaise with the inspectorate and the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment, NCCA, on the homework issue, which puts huge pressure on parents? Most schools now give homework for the week on a Monday, with pupils not having to return it until Thursday. There probably is less stress if the work can be spread out over the week. However, there is significant strain and pressure on parents when teachers give a lot of homework to primary school children, with the expectation to have it returned the next day.

Regarding social media, I am sure the Minister and her officials have read the joint committee's report on school bullying and its impact on mental health. What progress has been made on implementing any of the recommendations in that report? Are there ongoing cross-consultations between officials in the Minister's Department and those in other Departments regarding the dangers of social media, in the context of the Online Safety and Media Regulation Bill 2022, which we all want to see enacted as soon as possible? Are there interdepartmental solutions being worked on urgently in that regard?