Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)

I thank the Minister of State for his response. While I welcome the provision of SPHE within our school system it is limited. We recognised that as a country when we brought together partners working in this area from the sea change initiative and the Government policy A Vision for Change.

One of the issues with SPHE, apart from the fact that it is a broad subject, is that we need to examine how to tackle the issue of stigma and stigma reduction at a much younger age. There is an opportunity to build on a programme called Zippy's Friends which is already delivered to primary school children in first and second class. We could consider rolling out scenarios in an age appropriate fashion. The problem is about stigma and culture.

It is not long ago, relative to others, since I was in primary and secondary school and it was not normal to see a child with special needs in school. As a country we have changed our attitude to special needs and disabilities. Mental health is the next big challenge for our education system and culture is a factor. I ask the Minister of Stage to revert to his officials and ask them to consider examining best practice in other places, particularly in regard to what I cited in Scotland.

It is clear that what we are doing is not working. While there might be positive steps we know as a country a huge body of work needs to be done in regard to mental health. I know the Government is committed and I am fully supportive of the measures it is taking in that regard but we have to think outside the box and realise that the days of giving the age old answer of SPHE as a solution is not enough. We have to go further than that.

The term "knitted" is important. The issue needs to be addressed across our curriculum and subjects. The language used by teachers and the environment of a school has to discuss on a regular basis the issues people are experiencing in their homes which for far too long were not discussed in this country. We have a huge opportunity to use our schools while educating students to tackle issues regarding culture and stigma. I urge the Minister of State to take the opportunity to do that.

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