Oireachtas Joint and Select Committees

Tuesday, 18 May 2021

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills

School Bullying and the Impact on Mental Health: Discussion (Resumed)

Mr. David O'Sullivan:

That is something that the INTO is seeking. Obviously, it is important to get the balance right in the curriculum, but well-being is now crucial in the school environment. Obviously, we will need to look at other areas of the curriculum. Thirty minutes is not enough time in the school week to deliver a well-being programme. We have had well-being programmes, such as Walk Tall and others. Schools must now go it alone in implementing those initiatives themselves. We need a centralised approach to the provision of training for well-being. It needs to be adequately resourced and supported when the curriculum change takes place.