Oireachtas Joint and Select Committees

Tuesday, 29 November 2022

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills

Mental Health Supports in Schools and Tertiary Education: Discussion

Photo of Paul KehoePaul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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I thank all the witnesses for appearing before the committee. I thank Ryan, Tami, Hugh, Darragh, Molly and Annie. Darragh can go back to talking about farming on the way home. I know what that is like. I was one of those many years ago.

We talked about hurling and football and farming and who had the biggest tractor and horsepower and everything like that.

Ms Tami O' Leary did fantastically well and I say that genuinely. It is not easy appearing before a committee for the first time. All of the people beside her have been here before and knew what it was like. Well done to her; she should be very proud of herself for having the confidence to come in here. Don O'Leary and all in the Cork Life Centre should be very proud of her and I know they are; as are her family. I praise all of their families and teachers as well. Having their teachers coming here with them is absolutely fantastic. Society, the school community, and the teachers have moved some way. That would not have happened when I did my leaving certificate back in 1992 and it was not the stone age either.

I thank the guests very much for appearing before the committee. I know I speak on behalf of all the committee members in conveying our gratitude to them for coming in. Their contributions will feed widely into our report.