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

At primary level we have a generalist rather than specialist model. I made the point the other day to someone that initial teacher education takes between four and six years depending on which model a student follows. Some people are in a classroom for 40 years after qualifying. We must provide our teachers with CPD. It should be available at all stages of their careers, kept up to date, based on best practice and on evidence-based models. I reiterate what Dr. Duffy said about needing specialist help. Schools and teachers cannot solve all of the ills of society. We must have services. The INTO ran a webinar recently with CAMHS about mental health services and resources that are freely and widely available, but almost nothing is available for children under 12 years old.