Charlie McConalogue (Donegal North East, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister for his reply. Mary Byrne, head of special education at the National Council for Special Education, recently estimated that more than €200 million worth of additional teaching resources is needed every year as a result of behavioural issues in schools. The Minister outlined that the council has recommended to him in its recent report that at least one teacher from every secondary school should undergo a three-day training course in how to deal with especially difficult behaviour from students. Recently, the TUI referred to how the loss of 700 teachers in second level schools has led to an increase in behavioural difficulties among some students there.

The Minister is looking into the report, but can he give a commitment that he will set up training in line with the recommendation for teachers so that at least we can ensure that one teacher from each school is trained in specialist behavioural management? Can he also give us a timeline as to when we can expect action in that regard?

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