Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I will ask my officials to look at the possibility of doing what Deputy Boyd Barrett suggests. By way of context, it is down to individual schools to decide what material they put into their journals. There is not a central direction in respect of the material in journals that schools put together. It is up to the schools to develop them. What we do is provide guidelines for schools, both primary and post-primary schools, and emphasise the importance of connection to resources outside of the school. It is consistent with what Deputy Boyd Barrett said that we should look at how young people can get access to that information.

I am aware that already the HSE and my Department have been involved in some advertising campaigns which reference website such asspunout.ie, reachout.comand letsomeoneknow.ie, which in turn have links to Pieta House and other services of a similar nature. There is merit in doing that but I am conscious that schools ultimately are the leaders in the way in which they deal with the needs of the children in their care and they design the precise way they will implement the guidelines the Department sets.

That said, I am very keen to increase the impact of what we are doing in this area. We are rolling out guidance counselling this year, next year and in the years ahead. We are increasing NEPS facilities by 25% under the programme for Government. We are introducing well-being as a subject at junior cycle. There are a lot of trains, if one likes, leaving the station where we need to make sure that those resources we are putting in have a very strong impact on children who are struggling with mental health issues.

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