Carol Nolan (Offaly, Sinn Fein)
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136. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if his Department has completed the assessment of supports to schools in the areas of mental health and social and emotional competence as outlined in the action plan for education; the findings of the assessment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26132/17]

Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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I can inform the Deputy that a comprehensive review of the range of activities, which are relevant to the promotion of mental health and social emotional competence supported by my Department, has been completed. Informed by this work a DES Well-being Steering Group has been formed. This will review DES policy and provide a practice framework aligned with existing policy documents. It will also identify gaps in supports, engage in liaison with other Departments and agencies and map the existing support for schools provided by the DES and other Department’s agencies.  

 In addition the Department of Health has initiated a Pathfinder Project which is examining cross departmental collaboration in regard to youth mental health. Recommendations will be forthcoming from this work. My Department has been an active participant in this Project.