Maureen O'Sullivan (Dublin Central, Independent)
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Question 135: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills when the interdepartmental guidelines in relation to mental health in schools will be published; if these guidelines will follow a whole-school approach to mental health, including procedures on the way teachers should respond to the mental health difficulties of individual students; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32775/11]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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Work is under way on the development of Mental Health Guidelines for Schools involving personnel from my Department and the Health Service Executive. There will be an appropriate emphasis on the need for a whole-school approach to mental health including procedures on the way teachers should respond to mental health difficulties of individual students.

Maureen O'Sullivan (Dublin Central, Independent)
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Question 136: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the number of officials in his Department responsible for mental health policy in the education system; the other responsibilities that these same officials also have; if mental health is their primary role; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32776/11]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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The Department adopts a holistic and integrated approach to supporting the work of schools, and it is not possible to identify a number of officials who are uniquely responsible for promoting positive mental health. This issue spans the curriculum in schools, whole-school ethos, the quality of teaching, learning and assessment, pastoral care, the provision of professional development for teachers, other supports such as educational psychological services and guidance and counselling services, and the interface with other agencies, both nationally and locally.

Social Personal and Health Education (SPHE) 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. The Department has also issued guidelines to schools on the development of whole-school policies in the areas such as anti-bullying, RSE, substance use, managing critical incidents, whole-school guidance planning etc which are also important in promoting positive mental health.

Pastoral care supports are promoted in schools through year heads, key tutor systems, home/school links, etc. This is one of the key areas which is evaluated as part of a Whole School Evaluation. Schools also engage in a wide range of sport and cultural co-curricular activities which provide an important opportunity for students to experience success and personal growth.

The National Educational Psychological Service (NEPS) operating within the Department provides a range of services both direct and indirect which support the personal, social and educational development of students in primary and post primary schools, and assistance in supporting pupils with particular social emotional or behavioural difficulties. NEPS promotes the development of structures and supports among teachers and schools care teams which assists and encourages the development of contact and collaboration with the relevant local HSE mental health agencies including the Community Psychology Services and Mental Health Promotion Officers and the referral services of the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAHMS).

All post-primary schools provide a guidance and counselling service for their students and they receive ex-quota hours from the Department for this provision. Some 670 teachers are employed in this area. 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.