Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I have allocated €500,000 to enable implementation of the action plan on bullying, the full detail of which is being worked out, to be progressed this year. This additional expenditure will complement other programmes that focus on assisting teachers and school management in dealing with bullying in primary and post-primary schools.

The guidelines for mental health promotion bring together existing guidance and programmes to ensure a more integrated and holistic policy approach is taken towards student well-being in post-primary schools. The guidelines, which are evidence based, are an essential reference point for teachers and school management in terms of their planning for the implementation of the SPHE curriculum, the whole-school guidance plan and for accessing the NEPS continuum of support framework. Relevant supports for schools are outlined in the document.

The Department's support services have been directed to review and prioritise support for schools with regard to the action plan on bullying and the guidelines.

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