Oireachtas Joint and Select Committees

Tuesday, 15 November 2022

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills

Mental Health Supports in Schools and Tertiary Education

Photo of Paul KehoePaul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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I remind members to ensure that their mobile phones are turned off for the duration of the meeting since they interfere with the broadcasting equipment, even when on silent mode. Are the minutes of the meeting of 8 November agreed? Agreed. Are the minutes of the meeting of 25 October agreed? Agreed.

We are meeting with psychological support organisations. On behalf of the committee, I welcome Mr. Derek Chambers, general manager of national mental health operations, HSE mental health services; Ms Maureen Murray, youth mental health promotion manager at Jigsaw; and Mr. Ian Power, CEO of SpunOut. I welcome Mr. Mark Smith, past president, in 2020, and current council member of the Psychological Society of Ireland; Ms Lisa Molloy, CEO of the Irish Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy, IACP; Ms Mary Logue, vice chair of the board of directors of the Irish Council for Psychotherapy; and Ms Fiona Jennings, senior policy and public affairs manager of the Irish Association for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children.

I welcome the visitors from the IACP in the Public Gallery, Séamus Sheedy, chairperson, Jade Lawless, vice chairperson, Iwona Blasi, innovation and development manager, and Nicole Mac Dermott, communications supervisor. I welcome Ms Fiona Hughes, clinical manager of Jigsaw, and Mr. Poul Walsh Olesen, senior project manager, HSE mental health operations, who are also in the Public Gallery.

Witnesses are here to discuss mental health supports in schools and tertiary education. I will invite witnesses to make a brief opening statement in the following order: Mr. Chambers, Ms Murray, Mr. Power, Mr. Smith, Ms Molloy, Ms Logue and Ms Jennings. This will be followed by questions from members of the committee. There are five minutes in each slot for members to ask questions and witnesses to reply. As people are probably aware, the committee will publish opening statements on its website following the meeting.

Before I begin, I remind members of the long-standing parliamentary practice to the effect that they should not comment on, criticise or make charges against a person outside the House or an official either by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable.

Witnesses are reminded of the long-standing parliamentary practice to the effect that they should not criticise or make charges against any person or entity by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable, or otherwise engage in speech that might be regarded as damaging to the good name of the person or entity. Therefore, if their statements are potentially defamatory in relation to an identifiable person or entity, they will be directed by the chair to discontinue their remarks and it is imperative to comply with such direction from the chair.