Terence Flanagan (Dublin North East, Independent)
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780. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills her views on a matter regarding a primary school (details supplied) in Dublin 5; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28607/15]

Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour)
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Given that the issues raised are a matter for other Cabinet colleagues, I am not in a position to supply the information requested by the Deputy.

The school meals programme comes under the policy remit of my colleague the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection.

The provision of Mental Health Services to children is a matter for the Department of Health and the Health Service Executive. I would however like to inform the Deputy that my Department adopts a holistic and integrated approach to supporting the work of schools in promoting positive mental health and to supporting those with the broad range of problems, behavioural, emotional and social who might be considered within the broad term of mental health difficulties.

The processes span the curriculum in schools, whole-school ethos, quality of teaching, learning and assessment, student support and pastoral care and the provision of professional development for teachers. It also involves other supports such as educational psychological services and guidance and counselling services, and the interface with other agencies, both nationally and locally. 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.

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. My Department has also issued guidelines to schools on the development of whole-school policies in areas such as anti-bullying, relationship and sexuality education, substance misuse, managing critical incidents, whole-school guidance planning etc. which are also important in promoting positive mental health.

The Deputy may also be aware that I and my colleague, Minister of State Kathleen Lynch, launched "Well-being in primary schools - Guidelines for Mental Health Promotion" on 29th January 2015. The 'Well-Being in Post-Primary Schools: Guidelines for Mental Health Promotion and Suicide Prevention' were published by my Department in 2013. Both guidelines provide practical guidance to schools on how they can promote mental health and well-being in an integrated whole school way.

In 2011 responsibility for the School Completion Programme (SCP) transferred to the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs. Since January 2014 the School Completion Programme has been administered by TUSLA on behalf of the Department of Children and Youth Affairs (DCYA).

My Department continues to work with other Government Departments in relation to the delivery of services to children in schools.