Séamus Healy (Tipperary South, Workers and Unemployed Action Group) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister for his reply. We need a structure at school level to deal with issues that arise from the students' point of view, be they bullying or other personal matters. They must be able to interact with the structure and be comfortable with it.

Is the Minister satisfied that what is in place is adequate to do that? Along with many guidance counsellors and teachers, I am not satisfied that the current situation is adequate particularly to deal with the area of bullying, which, unfortunately, is widespread and some would say is almost of epidemic proportions. Will the Minister carry out a review of how the changes made in the budget have impacted on schools and students? When will the report of the working group, which the Minister just mentioned, become available and will he publish that report?

See this speech in context