Paudge Connolly (Cavan-Monaghan, Independent)
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Question 551: To ask the Minister for Education and Science her plans to address the increasing problem of indiscipline in schools; if her attention has been drawn to the increasing incidence of teacher's indiscipline-induced stress and consequent retirements; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9335/06]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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The Deputy will be aware that last year I established a task force on student behaviour in second level schools. This task force produced an interim report in mid-year and has very recently completed its final report as scheduled. I am very grateful to the task force, and its Chair, Ms Maeve Martin, for the very detailed consideration they gave to this broad area in a relatively short amount of time.

The task force held 19 plenary sessions in 2005. All the partners in education, including parents, students and teachers, were invited to make oral submissions to the task force. A plenary session with all of the partners was held on 12 October 2005. Ten consultative fora were held around the country at a number of second level schools as well as centres of alternative provision, e.g., youthreach centres and youth encounter programmes.

The task force invited, by public advertisement, submissions from interested individuals and groups and more than 150 submissions were received. I received a copy of the task force's final report in January and am considering it at present. I will arrange for its publication shortly. I have indicated my clear intention of acting on this issue in a measured and effective manner. To this end, provision of €2 million has been provided in this year's estimates to enable the implementation of the task force report to commence this year. I expect to be in a position to make further announcements on the detail of this implementation at the point of publication of the report.

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 that I attach to providing quality professional development for teachers is evident from the fact that this year's in-service budget is nearly €27 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 he or she might need support on a personal, rather than on a professional level. 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 teachers unions and management groups on the possibilities involved. I will maintain a strong interest in developments.