Ms Suzanne Connolly:

I will try to be concise. They are randomised control trials, which provide the strongest evidence base one can have. What is fascinating about it is the community perspective. A baby comes into a classroom once every three weeks and, through observing the baby with a parent, the children learn about temperament and emotions. The teacher observes the children as they respond to the baby and learn about child development. It goes from junior infants up to sixth class at primary level. What I like about the programme is that it is helping children to understand that anxiety and being cross are normal. Some children are more introverted and some are more extroverted and they are learning about themselves through the programme.

The committee needs to understand, as I know it will, that we need action at all levels. We need early intervention and prevention as well as, at the higher level, individual and therapeutic support. Of most importance is that we equip children with skills and the knowledge that it is normal to feel anxious and a bit low sometimes. Anxiety can be at too serious a level on occasion. We need to normalise these feelings and get children to the point where they say they can deal with them through having the right type of support. They get support from their peers as well. That is key. This goes back to being positive. Anxiety levels are high currently. Covid has not helped. For two years, there has been an unusual situation for children and parents. We need to support children and parents and take an holistic perspective.

It is fantastic to have the opportunity to discuss this with the committee, for which I thank members.