Mark Ward (Dublin Mid West, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

88. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if his Department has engaged with the Mental Health Supports in Schools and Tertiary Education docment produced by the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Education, Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science; the steps he is taking to implement the recommendations that fall under the remit of his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6772/23]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The mental health and well-being of students is a priority for my Department. My Department has progressed a number of initiatives, in partnership with the Higher Education Authority (HEA) and Higher Education Institutions (HEIs), over the last number of years to address the mental health and well-being issues faced by students in higher education.

My Department provided a comprehensive submission to the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education, Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science towards the Committee’s examination of services and supports. The recommendations from the Joint Committee were only received last week by my Department and are still being reviewed fully.

I can advise however, that my Department has worked closely with the HEA over the past number of years to enhance structures and funding delivery in support of student mental health and wellbeing in higher education institutions.

A fully inclusive Further Education and Training (FET) system is a priority for my Department. The FET sector is committed to increasing levels of inclusion for all, through the provision of high quality, more accessible and flexible education and training that incorporates relevant supports suited to the identified needs of individuals.

There is growing evidence of a link between participation in various types of adult learning and improvements in well-being and health-related behaviours. Well-being and psychological supports have always been an important supporting factor of FET, and it has been brought to the forefront during the COVID-19 pandemic. The maintenance and enhancement of high-quality support for learners is one of the key priorities for the sector.

In the FET sector, learners may have access to internal psychological supports from qualified ETB staff. In recognition of importance of professional development opportunities for FET staff for underpinning a quality service and to promote mental well-being amongst learners, the FET sector provides access to digital resources, including health and well-being resources, that support FET practitioners, aiming to enhance teaching and learning practices and subsequently, the educational experience for learners.

Additionally, Education and Training Boards Ireland (ETBI), on behalf of the ETB FET sector, has developed a FET Learner Mental Health Framework. This Framework reviewed and reflected on current mental health and well-being supports, and identifies challenges, as well as areas, in which improvements are required.

My Department allocates funding for mental health supports to the HEA for direct disbursement to HEIs. The HEA delivered €5M per year to higher education institutions (HEIs) in 2020, 2021 and in 2022 to facilitate the delivery and enhancement of student mental health supports including service delivery and whole institution initiatives. €2M of this annual allocation is core funding.

The remaining €3M in 2020 and 2021 was delivered as part of a larger package of supports assisting students and HEIs through the period when COVID-19 restrictions were in place and while the restrictions were continuing to have an impact on students. The additional €3M delivered in 2022 was part of a package of supports provided to alleviate the impact of the cost-of-living crisis and the affect it has been having on student mental health and well-being.

In 2023, €2 million of core funding is provided to address student mental health and well-being in higher education. An additional €3 million has also been allocated for mental health supports.