Mary O'Rourke (Fianna Fail)

The programme was about youth mental health. A range of support services are needed in this regard.

Many teachers are struggling to deal with those pupils suffering incipient or embryonic attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, ADHD, Asperger's syndrome or other disorders. A great number of special needs assistants are now working in our classrooms but, notwithstanding this, there are always children just at the edge, although not quite certifiably suffering from ADHD, Asperger's or autism. I know this from my own teaching days. The strain such children put on the teacher and the whole class is huge.

The child profiled on last night's programme, Jordan, is reported in today's Irish Examiner as having said: "[It's] like someone is controlling me. . . It's like a robot, someone else controlling me." It is clear he is an extremely disturbed child. I will endeavour to arrange the debate, which would be worthwhile.

Senator O'Toole called for the arrangement of a debate before Christmas on the issue of educational psychologists. If that is possible, I will try to arrange it.

Senator O'Meara asked for a debate on youth mental health issues. She has raised these issues in different guises. The Senator said the Minister of State should go. My view is that he should stay, attend to the issue and work it through.

The Senator also referred to today's protest in support of Monaghan Hospital and asked that the Minister for Health and Children would come to the House. The Minister has endeavoured to explain it is not possible to have the very best of acute services everywhere.