Brian Hayes (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 383: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills her plans to take steps to ensure schools and early years settings engage in mental health promotion and early intervention; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18850/10]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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Social Personal and Health Education (SPHE) programme is a mandatory part of the curriculum in primary schools and in junior cycle since 2003 and is designed to promote positive mental health. It is supported by comprehensive teacher guidelines and curriculum support services which provide training and advice for schools and a resource directory.

Its aim is to foster personal development, health and well being of children, to help them create and maintain supportive relationships, and develop the skills and attitudes for responsible citizenship.

From the beginning of primary schooling children learn, in an age-appropriate way, how to identify, explore and express feelings and emotions, how to communicate with others, to resolve conflict and to respect difference, the importance of caring for one's body, treating oneself and others with dignity and respect, and how to identify people, places and situations that may threaten personal safety.

The SPHE modules at junior cycle deal specifically with belonging and integrating, handling conflict constructively, bullying, dealing with peer pressure, coping with stress, emotional health and well being, influences on decision-making, and relationships and sexuality education. In third year, an awareness of the range of agencies who can help students in difficulty is promoted, as well as the skills of knowing when and how to seek help. SPHE is designed for implementation in the context of a caring whole-school approach which is supported by the pastoral care structures in schools.

All post-primary schools also provide a guidance and counselling service for their students and they receive ex-quota hours from the Department for this provision. The service includes the provision of individual guidance and counselling for students either at critical stages in their education or at times of personal crisis.

The National Educational Psychological Service (NEPS) operating within my Department provides a range of services both direct and indirect which support the personal, social and educational development of all children in primary and post-primary schools. NEPS also liaises with HSE services as appropriate in its service to schools. Well- being, identity and belonging are core themes within Aistear : the Early Childhood Curriculum Framework published by the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment for use for children aged 0-6 in including crèches, playgroups, naionrai, hospitals, early start, after schools and primary infant classes, as well as childminders and parents in the home. The framework sets out sample aims, goals and learning experiences under each theme which are designed to support children being happy, healthy and self confident in their family and community.