Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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Question 67: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if her attention has been drawn to the recent survey undertaken by the ASTI, which showed that work related stress accounted for more than one in three teacher absences from school; the steps she intends to take to reduce stress levels among teachers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13020/05]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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Opportunities for professional development and the availability of support on a personal level are important in every profession in enabling staff to work to the best of their abilities and to deal with stress. The priority I attach to providing quality professional development for teachers is evident from the fact that this year's inservice budget is up by almost 19% on the 2004 allocation to roughly €31 million.

Enhanced opportunities for professional development will help teachers to stay at the top of their profession. However, I recognise that just like employees in every other line of work, there will be times during a teacher's career when they might need support on a personal, rather than on a professional level. As I told the ASTI annual conference last month, there is a need to develop an occupational health strategy as a supportive resource for teachers. The aim of such a strategy will be to promote the health of teachers in their workplace, with a focus primarily on prevention rather than cure. In this context I have asked my officials to look at possible models for the development of both an occupational health service and an employee assistance service. Exploratory talks have already commenced with the teacher unions and management groups on the possibilities involved. I will maintain a strong interest in developments.

With regard to creating a positive school environment in our schools in which students and staff can work, I established a task force to review the issue of student behaviour. The task force will produce an interim report shortly with its final report expected before the end of this year.