Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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237. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Question No. 711 of 16 June 2015, the cost of providing an additional ten full-time personnel focusing on health and well-being; the number of post-primary teachers who attended any of the three seminar days on mental health in the past three years; the maximum numbers these seminar days may accept; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25416/15]

Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour)
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The creation of a Wellbeing Team in the Professional Development Service for Teachers costs in the region of €1.5 million per annum in programme and salary costs.

As well as the provision from PDST, other support services in my Department support teachers in the area of Wellbeing. The National Behaviour Support Service, Junior Cycle for Teachers, the Special Education Support Service and the Education Centre network have included provision for supporting teachers in the area of Wellbeing in their work plans.

In the 2012-2013 school year 271 teachers attended a total of 24 sessions in Mental Health training, in 2013-2014, 141 teachers attended a total of 24 sessions and in 2014-2015, 258 teachers attended a total of 17 sessions in Mental Health training. The recommend maximum number of teachers who may attend each session is 25.

As well as the provision of this training the PDST provide a range of supports to teachers in the area of Wellbeing at primary and post primary level in the form of seminars, workshops and in school support.

The Deputy may also be aware that my Department's National Educational Psychological Supports Service works with both primary and post-primary schools and is concerned with learning, behaviour, social and emotional development of students.