Katherine Zappone (Dublin South West, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I would be very much helped if the Deputy forwarded me the email he received from the principal in question. The Deputy spoke eloquently about recognising the role of principals. It is very important that that perspective be part of the mix.

I would like to assure the Deputy that the grant will be reinstated given my background, approach and conversations in my constituency. The Deputy might give me a little time in that regard, although I do not believe I can say anything until I have actually spoken to Tusla and explored this matter with it. In light of the Deputy's question, for which I am grateful, I have reflected on what the grant is for. One can hear in the response that it was originally and largely for supporting children in counselling on foot of bereavement, trauma and loss. I will be asking in my conversation with Tusla whether this history is fully understood. Perhaps some of the confusion or questions principals are asking may be coming from the fact that it is perceived that the grant has become part of a school completion programme. Why not because it is in the education welfare services of Tusla, implying it is especially for children living in contexts of disadvantage and all that can mean? A principal to whom I spoke referred to children experiencing hunger, trauma, addiction, self-harm and the potential to take their life by suicide, or, effectively the stress of living below the poverty line. The question arises as to whether there are other counselling services in the area that they can access. There are not in my constituency.

Should the grants be available to all schools? On this question, I take the Deputy's point. It depends on what they are for. I know that schools in my constituency actually spend more than the counselling moneys they receive on counselling services. That provides some evidence and a perspective that I will bring to my conversations with Tusla.

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