Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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Question 41: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if his attention has been drawn to the recent call from the Teachers' Union of Ireland for a full-time assistance service for teachers; his views on whether the absence of such a service is contributing to the growing problem of stress in the workplace; if he will live up to the Government's commitment to provide for such services and establish an employee assistance service immediately; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14347/04]

Noel Dempsey (Meath, Fianna Fail)
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The interim phase of the employee assistance service for teachers concluded its operation in August 2003.

A review of the interim phase was considered by the steering committee responsible for overseeing the operation of the service. The steering committee concluded that the current service arrangements should not be extended beyond the scheduled end of the interim phase in August 2003. The committee considered that there was a need for a more fundamental review of the objectives and remit of an employee assistance service for teachers and the preparation of a blueprint for the future development of such a service.

My Department is currently considering possible options to advance this issue in the context of available resources. While I am supportive of the principle of an employee assistance service I feel that we should not rush to mainstream this service until we have identified the most beneficial and cost effective model of delivery. I have asked my officials to look at different models of delivery and to talk further with the union and management interests on the best way forward. Discussions with these interests will take place shortly.