Hildegarde Naughton (Galway West, Fine Gael)

As previously stated, both the Department and NCSE officials are engaging directly with the school in relation to the recent concerns raised by the school. There has been an online meeting and a school visit is planned to involve the NCSE, NEPS, and the inspectorate. I cannot stress enough that any school that has a concern regarding the provision of supports available for students with special educational needs should contact the NCSE, or the Department, in the first instance.

Guidance, advice and support will be provided to ensure that schools are supported and their concerns are addressed.

I also wish to take this opportunity to outline the well-being services available to school staff that are supported by the Department, namely Oideas's well-being at work teacher well-being section, details of which can be found online, and the employee assistance service provided by Spectrum. This service provides a dedicated, confidential, 24-hour, seven-days-a-week service 365 days a year to promote staff well-being in the workplace. In addition, the Teaching Council provides a number of supports and resources to teachers and school leaders to support their well-being, including personal, professional and financial supports. Further information is available on the Teaching Council's website.

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