Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

-----nor have I read the study to which it refers. However, I can perhaps comment on some more general matters. In terms of mental health, I am sure the Deputy will be aware that we spend approximately €900 million per annum on mental health. This is a considerable amount of money, which is well spent, and is an increase of €200 million since 2012. There is, therefore, significant investment in mental health, an area in which services are changing. However, we are running into various recruitment difficulties, as is almost every country, in finding appropriately qualified staff to service our mental health infrastructure.

In terms of school principals, we are fortunate in Ireland to have such truly excellent school principals who do such an excellent job in managing and leading their schools.

We are doing more and more every year now that we can afford to do so. There is, of course, always more work to do but it is relevant to mention what has been done. This year the total spend on education will be €10 billion, the highest ever. What does that mean in practice? Some 5,000 new teachers have been employed in the last two years on foot of the confidence and supply agreement with Fianna Fáil; the restoration of guidance counsellors in a lot of schools; new subjects being introduced like computer science and physical education; 15,000 special needs assistants in our schools now - more than we have gardaí even though Garda numbers are increasing as well; renewed investment in our institutes of technology and universities; and new school buildings all over the country. We are seeing a considerable investment in education.

The Deputy might not be aware, so perhaps I have an advantage over him on this, that the Minister for Education and Skills, Deputy Bruton, made an announcement this morning which is all about improving school leadership and management and that involves additional promotional posts in primary schools, for example, more assistant principals to support principals, improved continuing professional development and training for teachers to help them deal with the changing environment that children now face.

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