Frank Feighan (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)

I support the motion because more educational psychologists are needed. The recent debacle concerning the withdrawal and restoration of the NEPS to 29 schools raises deeper issues. It is positive that psychologists have been appointed but the Minister has adopted a ham-fisted approach. Not enough is being done to provide a secure future for children at risk. When the NEPS was set up in 1999, the then Minister for Education and Science, Deputy Martin, stated 200 psychologists would be appointed within five years. There was cross-party support for this but the number of psychologists has never exceeded 130. The result is that young vulnerable people are very exposed. Primary and post-primary schools need psychological services. Government policy which opposes giving the NEPS a statutory footing is inexplicable. This issue must be resolved.

I attended a meeting on child care ten days ago and one woman made a wonderful speech highlighting the value for money achieved through child care. Her point was that if money was invested in caring for our children and providing them with a good education, fewer of them would engage in criminal activity. Most young detainees have mental disorders and mentally ill children fuel a lifetime cycle of crime and violence. Value for money can be achieved. It is a crying shame that the issue has not been addressed. I am concerned that with the proposed cutbacks, it may not receive the attention it deserves. The motion has been tabled to highlight this serious situation and ensure appropriately funding is provided.

Research has found that eight out of ten boys incarcerated in detention schools have at least one psychological disorder and, on average, three. They are plagued by mental health problems and many are addicted to alcohol and drugs, including cannabis and cocaine. One in five under age criminals is intellectually disabled. If the appropriate assessments were carried out, vulnerable young people could be caught early. A potential crime spree could be curbed as a result. The children concerned are the tip of the iceberg but once they have been detained for committing a crime, it is too late. Psychological assessments should be carried out when they are in school.

Good work has been done by my colleague, Deputy Neville, on suicide, youth suicide in particular. Various groups provide ASIST courses. However, more funding for psychologists could curb the ever increasing problem of youth suicide. The NEPS addressed more than 100 critical incidents in schools in 2006 and 2007. It is estimated Ireland has the seventh highest rate of youth suicide in the European Union. Parents, siblings, teachers and friends of youth suicide victims participate in ASIST courses and they all ask themselves whether they could have done anything else. If more psychologists were available in schools, they would have provided a great deal of help and eased much pain.

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