Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 3 May 2012

Vol. 764 No. 2

Topical Issue Debate

School Curriculum

Deputy Patrick O’Donovan

I thank the Ceann Comhairle for selecting this matter. I welcome the Minister of State to the House. The recent job opportunities announced by the Department, IDA Ireland and others have highlighted the change in the Irish economy and also the need for a cohort of skilled graduates in the areas of science and engineering. We must ask ourselves two questions in that regard. How is Ireland positioned in terms of the degree courses we offer and how can we ensure we are maximising the opportunities for our younger people to allow them get employment here? We must start that process at the primary and second level curriculum and look specifically at science and innovation and our mathematics and science curricula.

There is an interest in this area. One only has to consider the BT Young Scientist Exhibition held every year in the RDS to know there is a wealth of creativity and innovation among our young people, as demonstrated clearly at that event. In my part of the world the University of Limerick was to the fore in developing degree courses that reflected the needs of the economy at the time and there were successful job announcements over the years in the Limerick area as a result, but year in, year out, following the leaving certificate and junior certificate results, employers' groups, teachers, parents and others express concern about the numbers of students studying mathematics at higher level and the numbers studying science, particularly the sciences of physics, chemistry and physics and chemistry combined.

A holistic examination of that area will have to be done involving the Department, employers, parents, teachers and other stakeholders in terms of developing it in the future. The Minister of State will probably refer to the fact that the junior certificate syllabus will be examined again by the Department but we are almost unique in Europe in that we are one of the only countries in the European Union which does not require science to be studied as a mandatory subject at junior level.

The statistics speak for themselves. The numbers taking up higher level mathematics fell from just under 18% to just over 15% between 2006 to 2011 and for applied mathematics, which is essential for many people going into civil engineering, electronic engineering and so on, the decrease is 2%. It is obvious there is a problem in that regard.

There was a move recently to examine Project Maths and bonus points in terms of the uptake of mathematics at higher level, but I do not believe that is the only answer. There is a temptation, and I have said this directly to the Minister and the Minister of State, to dumb down the mathematics curriculum in the hope that more people will take up the subject, but we must look beyond that. Recently, the Department found itself in an embarrassing situation when it could not tell how many people were qualified to teach higher level mathematics. That raises the question of how many people are qualified to teach physics, chemistry or applied mathematics in second level schools.

There is also a temptation to overload the curriculum. Already at primary level there are 12 subjects on the curriculum from junior infants to sixth class, and 26 subjects are available at junior certificate level, although science is not mandatory.

The Minister of State will probably refer when replying to the change in terms of rote learning and so on but it is not that long since I was in school and up to junior certificate level, and other Deputies will recall this also, one was not allowed use a calculator. Students can now use a calculator at primary level with the result that students are coming out of primary school unable to do basic tables, arithmetic or even basic sums in their heads. We then wonder why students at leaving certificate level are not taking on higher level mathematics. Unfortunately, it is because in many cases the basic concepts are not being taught.

Minister of State at the Department of Education and Skills (Deputy Ciarán Cannon)

I am taking this topical issue on behalf of my colleague, the Minister for Education and Skills, Deputy Ruairí Quinn. I thank the Deputy for raising this important issue as it affords me the opportunity to outline the position regarding the numbers of second level students studying leaving certificate mathematics and sciences at higher level and to summarise the initiatives addressing this topic.

Project Maths began as a pilot in 24 schools in 2008. It is being developed by the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment, NCCA. It was mainstreamed from September 2010 when it became available to all schools. Project Maths is designed to transform teaching and learning in mathematics at both junior and senior cycle. It would enable students to develop an understanding of the "hows and whys" of mathematics but also the ability to apply their knowledge and skills in familiar and unfamiliar contexts. It should also provide them with analytical and creative powers in mathematics. A key objective of Project Maths is to improve attainment levels in mathematics and to encourage more students to take the subject at higher level. The first mainstream examinations are for this year's leaving certificate students and the first group of students presenting for the junior certificate will be in 2013. The introduction of Project Maths has been accompanied by a national programme of professional development for all teachers, not just those in the project schools, and this will continue to at least 2013.

The participation in higher level mathematics was down from a high of 18.9% in 2005 to 15.8% in 2011. To encourage more students to present at higher level, there will be 25 bonus CAO points available for all candidates who score grade D3 or above for higher level mathematics in the leaving certificate from this summer. Higher education institutions have collectively agreed to operate this bonus points scheme for higher level mathematics for a four year trial period from 2012 to 2015 inclusive, with a review in 2014.

The bonus points scheme aims to incentivise more students to continue with their studies to higher level mathematics. In fact, State Examinations Commission data highlights that for the 2011 leaving certificate examinations there were 9,950 candidates entered, with 7,917 sitting the examination. This year the number of candidates entered stood at 12,510, which is an increase of approximately 25%. I look forward to finding out how many of these entrants will present and I hope the majority of them do so.

On the sciences at senior cycle, it must be noted that participation in physics, chemistry and applied mathematics has been relatively stable in the past three years. The numbers participating in agricultural science increased from 4,164 in 2009 to 5,287 last year, while the numbers participating in biology increased from 20,102 to 22,677 in the same period.

An important element of the strategy for science, technology and innovation is to increase the proportions of students studying the physical sciences in senior cycle. Revised draft syllabuses in physics, chemistry and biology have been developed by the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment following consultations with the key stakeholders. The revised syllabuses aim to provide a strong focus on practical investigative approaches and practical assessment as a follow on from the changes introduced at junior cycle science in 2003. It is expected that these syllabuses will be submitted to the Department later this year.

This year, there has been a significant number of students applying through the Central Applications Office for science, technology, engineering and mathematics courses. The number of students expressing a first preference for science courses, including computing, at honours degree level - level 8 - increased by 18.4% this year and over the five year period from 2008 to 2012, the figure increased by a total of 63.5%. First preferences for agricultural science increased by 98%.

The National Council for Curriculum and Assessment provided its advice to me on junior cycle reform in late 2011. Ongoing consideration is being given to implementation of this reform, which will be introduced on a phased basis. All the existing subjects, including mathematics and science, are being continued and schools will also be able to provide their students with short course options.

Deputy Patrick O’Donovan

The Minister of State referred to entry into third level courses. The Department must examine the fairness or otherwise of entry requirements. For example, a student can enter a third level science course having studied only one science subject and ordinary level mathematics at leaving certificate level. He or she will be in a class with other students who will have taken physics, applied and honours mathematics, chemistry and biology in the leaving certificate. The Department should examine drop-out rates from science courses. My experience of studying at university was that many students drop out of science courses after first year. In many cases, these students were badly advised when they chose science in University College Dublin, University College Cork, the Dublin Institute of Technology or another third level college. We need to be straight with students who have taken only one science subject in the leaving certificate and inform them that they will be at a disadvantage if they study science at university.

The Departments of Education and Skills and Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, employers and the trade union movement have an opportunity to demonstrate that science and technology offer many job opportunities. In Limerick, for example, we have had job announcements in areas such as cloud computing. Unless we provide the appropriate educational infrastructure at primary, secondary and tertiary level, we will not be in a position to benefit from job opportunities in the technology sector. We must ask the reason so many young people are either not studying technology subjects or are dropping out of science courses.

While I welcome the Minister of State's response, a great deal of work needs to be done on this issue. All the stakeholders should be encouraged to engage in constructive dialogue with a view to increasing participation rates in science and mathematics at secondary and tertiary level.

Deputy Ciarán Cannon

I wholeheartedly agree with all the points the Deputy makes. While we have made a significant start to the process of improving understanding of mathematics generally, we have a long way to go in that regard. As the Minister of State with responsibility for training and skills, I have been informed repeatedly by individuals involved in information technology and computing that the sector is experiencing significant skills shortages. Many of those in the industry impress on me that people do not need to have a computer science degree, master's degree or PhD to secure employment in the sector. A significant number of vacancies have arisen for people who do not have in-depth knowledge of information and communications technology. Many opportunities are presenting for young unemployed people to engage in training for six months to one year which would allow them to pursue sustainable, long-term careers in the ICT and computing sector.

I concur with Deputy O'Donovan that we need to examine the teaching of mathematics across primary, post-primary and tertiary education. I was fortunate to meet a number of social entrepreneurs from all over the world at a recent event in Dublin Castle called Change Nation. I was particularly taken with one gentleman, Dr. John Mighten, a teacher of mathematics in Canada who has devised a new way of teaching maths in Canadian schools known as JUMP Math. The Deputy may wish to browse the very interesting JUMP Math website. Dr. Mighten's system recognises that all children have talents when it comes to understanding mathematics and seeks to avoid coming to conclusions, as has happened in many schools, much too early in the lives of children that they are either good or bad at mathematics. He takes the view that we are all very good at mathematics initially and if this talent is nurtured, we can remain good at maths for our entire lives.

I am examining the JUMP Math programme and working with a number of individuals in NUIG to ascertain whether it would be possible to roll out one or two pilot projects for the programme. The results in Canada, the United States and Brixton in the United Kingdom have been astounding and I look forward to applying them in this country.

School Accommodation

Deputy Pat Breen

I thank the Ceann Comhairle for affording me an opportunity to raise this issue. While I do not raise many matters in Topical Issue debates, this is an issue that is close to my heart. Having visited Scoil Mhuire national school in Meelick, County Clare, I can only describe the conditions I saw at the school as absolutely appalling. It is difficult to understand how the previous Government ignored the school and allowed conditions to deteriorate to such an extent, especially during the Celtic tiger period when the country was awash with money. Every area of the school building and its environs is in need of urgent attention. Running repairs are no longer sufficient to deal with the scale of the problems at the school and maintenance is costing the board of management a fortune.

It is difficult to keep up with the number of water leaks at the school, especially from roofs in the prefabricated buildings. I saw buckets and basins in several classrooms and there is a major concern that the leaks pose a fire hazard given that water penetrated the fluorescent bulb fixtures in ceilings on a number of occasions. Water has also caused structural damage to ceilings in the school's prefabricated buildings. The ceilings and foundations of these buildings need to be replaced.

The school has little ventilation because windows cannot be opened as their frames are swollen. This lack of ventilation gives rise to significant safety concerns and is not good for the health of the children or teachers. The main doorframe is unsteady and poses a health and safety risk. All the windows and doors need to be replaced.

Mould is visible on the walls of several classrooms and washrooms, the sewage system is not working properly and there is a foul smell in the toilets where the roof is leaking. There is also water on the floor and junior and senior infants do not have access to hot water in their classrooms which also have leaks in the ceilings. The permanent odour of damp in the school is a matter of serious concern to the school and parents as a number of children suffer from asthma and other respiratory related illnesses.

When I walked into the yard I noticed a number of structural problems with the school building. I observed, for example, that a number of roof slates were missing and several more were loose. The school yard surface is cracked, eroded and uneven and several potholes are visible. Manholes are rusted, dangerous and overflowing. The gradient in one part of the play area is so bad that teachers must constantly monitor the children to avoid serious injury.

Teachers are not to blame for conditions at the school and have done their best. The problem is that the school is old, having been built in 1959 in what was then a small locality. The school is located in the Stonepark area near the church. In the 1980s, many housing estates sprung up on the other side of the parish in the Ballycannon area and the population of the village increased. This also boosted the school population and the school now has eight teachers and 150 pupils, with a further 23 children due to enrol in September.

I visited a number of schools in County Clare in recent months and the conditions in Meelick school were the worst I saw.

Stop gap measures or sticking plaster solutions are not sufficient to deal with the enormous problem in the school itself. Remedial works are carried out by the school on an ongoing basis, but the scale of the problem is beyond the ability of the school authority to maintain or fund.

Can the Minister of State give me an update on the situation? The school has applied for emergency funding, because it poses a health and safety risk. A risk assessment has been carried out by a qualified consultant, who has confirmed that the works are urgently required so that the school and its grounds can be made safe for the children and parents who use it.

Deputy Ciarán Cannon

I am taking this topical issue debate on behalf of the Minister for Education and Skills. I thank the Deputy for raising this matter, as it gives me an opportunity to outline to the House my Department's position regarding the allocation of funding under the Department's emergency works scheme and, in particular, the applications received from the management authority of Scoil Mhuire national school, Meelick, County Clare. Application forms and guidelines for this scheme are available on my Department's website advising schools on how to apply for emergency funding, and also outlining the terms and conditions of the emergency works scheme.

The purpose of the emergency works scheme is solely for unforeseen emergencies or to provide funding to facilitate inclusion and access for special needs pupils. An emergency is deemed to be a situation which poses an immediate risk to the health, life, property or the environment which is sudden, unforeseen and requires immediate action, and in the case of a school, if not corrected would prevent the school or part thereof from opening. It is not intended that the emergency works scheme will be used to supplement previous applications under other schemes or to replace any other schemes provided by my Department.

The management authority of Scoil Mhuire national school, Meelick, County Clare, has submitted two applications under the emergency works scheme. The first of these was received on 8 July 2011, seeking funding to refurbish pupil and staff toilets in the school, and this was refused as it was outside the scope of the scheme. The second application was received on 18 February 2012, seeking funding to replace the roofs on both the permanent school building and the prefabricated building on the school site, completely resurface the hard play areas and carry out remedial works to sewer and surface water lines at the school.

On 1 March 2012, an official from my Department's planning and building unit contacted both the school authority and its consultant and informed them that the scale of the works was outside the scope of the scheme. The school authority was requested to identify the most urgent works required at the school and to reapply for these works in a scaled down scope of works, that is, to carry out repair work to the areas of roofs currently leaking and to identify the emergency works required to the sewerage system. Any such application will be given due consideration.

The school authority submitted a revised scope of works on 8 March 2012, but as the works requested for funding were still outside the type of works that would be funded under the emergency works scheme, the school authority was again informed that its application was not successful.

Deputy Pat Breen

I thank the Minister of State for coming into the House to take this issue, but I am still not satisfied with the answer I am getting today. Perhaps the Minister of State might chase up the history of previous applications. If it is outside the scope of the scheme, I fail to understand the problem. As far as I am concerned, every part of the school requires urgent attention. What happens if there is a fire in the school in the morning and windows cannot be opened? It is just awful. I am not just saying this to try to influence the Minister of State, but it is urgent and there are safety fears here.

Can the school management apply for another scheme to deal with these ongoing problems? There are structural problems, electrical problems, problems with the roof, dampness and mould. Very little money has been spent on permanent structures in this school. It is an old type of school, built back in 1959. Many other schools in the area have improved, but this school has been left behind and I am extremely worried for the children, the teachers and the parents, who are also concerned about these issues.

I ask the Minister of State to come back to me on this. Perhaps he could visit the school in his capacity as Minister of State. It needs urgent attention. He might let me know where the school is in the Department's building programme for the construction of permanent structures or improvements. If the school is outside this scheme, what other scheme can it apply for?

Deputy Ciarán Cannon

On 1 March, an official from the building unit contacted the school and the school was requested to identify the most urgent works required and to apply for those works in a scaled down scope, to carry out works to the parts of roofs that are currently leaking and identify the issues raised by the Deputy in respect of the sewerage system. The building unit officials have told me that they are prepared to consider any application for funding that will address the most urgent needs of Scoil Mhuire national school. I think it is incumbent upon the board of management to identify the most urgent needs and if it succeeds in doing that and makes a submission to the building unit, such a submission may be looked on in a favourable light.

Human Rights Issues

Deputy Maureen O’Sullivan

I thank the Ceann Comhairle for allowing us to raise this matter. The issue of the prisoners in Maghaberry Prison has been long neglected and is getting very little publicity. We are not talking about the political views of these prisoners, but the human rights conditions in which they have been held for quite a while. I will discuss the case of Marion Price, while Deputy Pringle will speak about two other prisoners.

Until February, Marion Price was held practically in solitary confinement in an all male prison. She has now been moved to a so-called health centre, which I do not believe is addressing her health issues. There are questions about the lawfulness of her detention and the term "administrative internment" is also being used. She was re-arrested when she was out on bail on the order of the Secretary of State, so I think there are issues here about the independence of the Judiciary.

I followed up on prisoner rights and human rights issues for prisoners in China, Iran and Bahrain recently, and then I discovered that this was an issue just 100 km up the road. I tabled a question to the Minister for Justice and Equality in January, who told me that the Tánaiste was in discussions with the Minister of State in Northern Ireland. I then followed that with two questions to the Tánaiste and the gist of his response was that the situation was being monitored. More definite detail is needed on this. What exactly is going on? Does the Tánaiste feel that he has role on a prisoner rights and human rights issue up the road in Northern Ireland?

Deputy Thomas Pringle

I thank the Ceann Comhairle for giving me the opportunity to raise this issue. As Deputy O'Sullivan has outlined, this is a very important human rights issue on the island of Ireland that we need to address. Many Members have been quick to raise issues in Tibet, China and elsewhere, but we need to be cognisant of what is happening on our own island to Irish citizens.

There is an agreement in Maghaberry between the Department of Justice in Northern Ireland and the prisoners that will resolve the protests that have been going on there for the last few years, but the Northern Ireland Prison Service refuses to implement that agreement. This means that the conditions under the prisoners have to live are continuing. I impress on the Tánaiste and the Minister of State, Deputy Costello, the need to make forceful representations to the Minister for Justice in the Six Counties, and to the Northern Ireland Prison Service, to ensure that this agreement is implemented so that the protest can be ended and the prisoners can complete their sentences in some sort of dignity.

I also wish to raise the specific case of Brian Shivers, who is currently being held in Maghaberry as well, awaiting appeal for a conviction that he received a few months ago. Mr. Shivers suffers from cystic fibrosis and he is 46 years old. Life expectancy in the UK for sufferers of cystic fibrosis is 39 years, so he has already exceeded that. He has been denied medical treatment in Maghaberry Prison for the last six weeks by the Northern Ireland Prison Service. The service has refused to give him his medication so he can alleviate his condition, and it is a very serious issue for an Irish citizen to be held in those conditions. There is correspondence from the South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust, which has agreed to offer training to prison staff to administer his medication in a proper manner, but this has not been availed of to date.

I wrote to the Tánaiste on 20 April in relation to this issue but, as yet, I have not even received an acknowledgment from him. It is vitally important that these matters be brought up forcefully. On human rights grounds, prisoners should be treated with respect and dignity.

Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (Deputy Joe Costello)

I thank both Deputies for putting the case for prisoners' in Maghaberry Prison so succinctly.

The Government is aware of a number of concerns which have been expressed regarding human rights conditions of prisoners currently being held in Maghaberry Prison in Northern Ireland. The Tánaiste has raised the issue with authorities in Northern Ireland on a number of occasions, most recently on 27 April with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Owen Paterson, and on 20 April with the Minister of Justice in the Northern Ireland Assembly, David Ford.

There are a number of ongoing issues concerning a group of prisoners held in a separated prisoners' regime in Maghaberry. This group has been on dirty protest since May 2011 over conditions and practices in the prison, particularly the use of full body searches. This is a highly contentious and emotive issue and I understand that concerted efforts have been made to facilitate an agreement which would see a regime put in place acceptable to all parties. Recent incidents in Maghaberry Prison have made these efforts more difficult, as any agreement would need to balance the security concerns of the prison authorities with the issues raised by the prisoners.

I welcome the recent announcement by Minister Ford that full body scanner devices are to be used in a trial pilot scheme in Maghaberry Prison. The use of such technology might address the concerns of prisoners regarding a full body search regime.

In a wider context, huge progress has been made by the Northern Ireland Department of Justice and the Northern Ireland Prison Service in relation to implementing the recommendations of the Owers report for prison reform. This report outlined a series of reforms which will fundamentally change how prisons are operated and organised in Northern Ireland. The report team undertook a 360 degree review of the prison system and had a very strong focus on how best to protect the human rights of prisoners. Minister Ford, in a recent conversation with the Tánaiste, spoke positively of how the implementation of the report's recommendations was progressing and there is no doubt as to his commitment to reforming the prison services to the benefit of all stakeholders. The full implementation of the Owers report will be the most effective way to ensure that human rights of all prisoners in Northern Ireland, not just in Maghaberry Prison, are fully observed.

Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade officials have been instructed to continue to monitor any further developments on these issues. The Government will continue to take an active interest in this subject and will make appropriate representations where necessary.

Deputy Maureen O’Sullivan

I thank the Minister of State for the reply, but it is disappointing. I am sure the Minister of State is also disappointed because I know of his role in prisoners' issues in Dublin Central and with my predecessor, the late Tony Gregory.

The Pat Finucane Centre, which is a non-party political and anti-sectarian human rights group committed to the non-violent resolution of conflict situations has taken these issues up and has been in touch with the Tánaiste. I wonder if he has responded to the centre.

Terms like "aware of", "raised issues" and "continue to monitor" sound very nice but there is no action behind them. Meanwhile the situation in Maghaberry has been ongoing for almost a year. Reforms are never worth the paper they are written on unless they are implemented. From the Minister of State's answer it sounds as though these issues are being kicked to touch. There has been reform and a report and everything is going to be fine, but in the meantime there are serious health and human rights issues for the prisoners.

We did not mention another prisoner, Gerry McGeough, and I know there are others besides the three we mentioned.

Deputy Thomas Pringle

Like Deputy O'Sullivan, I am disappointed by the Minister of State's response. A sense of urgency needs to be impressed on Department officials when they are dealing with their counterparts in the Six Counties to ensure the reforms are implemented without delay.

The introduction of full body scanners might go some way to relieving the conditions in Maghaberry, particularly for prisoners who are strip searched on numerous occasions on days when they receive several visits. That should not be allowed to continue in any civilised society. It merely heightens the sense of conflict and deteriorates the situation even further.

I ask that the Tánaiste make representations regarding Brian Chivers. His life is at risk due to his illness and his life expectancy will be curtailed by the conditions in which he is being forced to live. He is being denied life-saving and life-maintaining medical treatment. That is not acceptable in this country in this day and age.

Deputy Joe Costello

I take on board what the Deputies said. I will speak to the Tánaiste about the matter. He spoke to the Minister for Justice, David Ford, and the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Owen Paterson, in April. I will bring the issues the Deputies raised to the Tánaiste's attention.

I do not propose to discuss the individual cases the Deputies mentioned. I appreciate the necessity to take early action regarding the medical situation referred to. I hope there can be an early resolution to these matters. We do not want to go back from the Good Friday Agreement. There is still dissident activity in Northern Ireland and in the prison context, but we want to get overall agreement. I understand the authorities in Northern Ireland are seeking to get that agreement.

I will speak to the Tánaiste about the matter and encourage him to bring his good offices to bear to resolve the matter as quickly as possible.

Eating Disorders

Deputy Thomas P. Broughan

I thank my Fingal colleague, the Minister for Health, for coming to the House to discuss this matter.

First, there are only three public beds, instead of the recommended 24, for eating disorders nationwide. Second, we do not have standards or regulations for physiotherapists and counsellors who work in this field.

In 2006, the Vision for Change report on mental health policy estimated that up to 200,000 people in Ireland may be affected by an eating disorder, whether anorexia nervosa, bulimia, binge eating disorder or otherwise. It also reported that approximately 400 new cases of eating disorder are diagnosed each year in Ireland which, shockingly, represents approximately 80 deaths per year.

A Government study of children and adolescents carried out in 2006 indicated that 1.2% of Irish girls are at risk of developing anorexia nervosa and 2% are at risk of developing bulimia. Figures from the Health Research Board report on the activities of Irish psychiatric units in hospitals indicate that eating disorders represented the second highest level of diagnosis, at 18%, of child and adolescent psychiatric admissions in 2008. There are also worrying trends internationally. A study of Scottish secondary school students reported that approximately a quarter of boys and girls had engaged in bulimic or anorexic behaviour.

Eating disorders, as a psychiatric condition, have a significant mortality rate. A 1995 study in the American Journal of Psychiatry, shockingly, found that “aggregate annual mortality rates associated with anorexia are more than 12 times higher than the annual death rate due to all causes for females aged between 15 and 24 and more than 200 times higher than the suicide rate of females in the general population”.

This issue that does not predominantly affect girls and women, as the incidence of men who are affected by eating disorders is significantly on the rise. International studies estimate that as many as 25% of patients being treated for anorexia and bulimia are male and perhaps 50% of binge eating disorder cases are men.

All of these astonishing statistics have been compiled and highlighted by the outstanding campaigning organisation for victims of eating disorders, BodyWhys, led by Ms Jacinta Hastings. Many colleagues in the House, attended the excellent briefings provided by Ms Hastings during Eating Disorders Awareness Week in February and her follow-up briefings.

One of the most incredible facts surrounding eating disorders services is that there are only three beds in the public health system specifically designated for citizens with an eating disorder. Many patients approach their GP, and the Minister has emphasised that the treatment of eating disorders by community mental health teams is the best way forward. Bodywhys and other health professionals, however, believe there is an urgent need for at least 24 beds in the public health system to adequately treat the needs of the growing number of citizens with an eating disorder.

Recommendation 15.4.7 of A Vision for Change proposes an eating disorder sub-unit in a regional general hospital mental health unit with six beds each, which would contribute 24 public eating disorder beds. What can the Minister promise or what can he indicate will happen in this area? There is also a clear issue of equality at stake. With just three public beds, is it the case that only citizens who can afford private treatment will be able to access treatment for an eating disorder? There are many outstanding eating disorder counsellors and psychotherapists working in this country but it is an unregulated sector. As Bodywhys emphasises, citizens seeking treatment for an eating disorder are in an exceptionally vulnerable position. It is therefore essential that the areas of counselling and psychotherapy are strictly regulated to the highest standards. There is an opportunity for regulation, either by statutory instrument or by the introduction of legislation to the House. I urge the Minister to introduce regulations urgently in this regard and to ensure standards for counsellors and psychotherapists are provided either through legislation or by a statutory instrument. I seek a commitment from the Minister that eating disorder services will be introduced as a matter of urgency, as outlined in A Vision for Change, given the dramatic effect of eating disorders on young people.

Minister for Health (Deputy James Reilly)

I thank Deputy Broughan for raising this important matter for discussion today. I am responding to this topical issue on behalf of my colleague, the Minister of State, Deputy Kathleen Lynch, who has responsibility for mental health issues. Health Service Executive, HSE, services for people with eating disorders are embedded in the main in the community mental health service and primary care. Individuals with eating disorders frequently present to the primary care practitioner with complications of their condition and early intervention at this level greatly improves outcomes. The HSE has developed a mental health in primary care accredited training programme with Dublin City University for primary care practitioners, with a view to enhancing the capacity of primary care to recognise, assess and treat a range of mental illnesses, including eating disorders, within the primary care setting.

Community based adult mental health services receive referrals from primary care and provide assessment and treatment to individuals with eating disorders. Child and adolescent mental health teams provide a similar role for their cohort of referrals. Where the individual's psychiatric or medical needs are more acute, inpatient admission is offered within the local psychiatric services or acute medical care where necessary. The HSE can and has worked with service providers in the independent sector to provide specialised care, on an inpatient and-or an outpatient basis.

Services for persons with eating orders are also provided in the voluntary sector and in this regard I should mention that the HSE provides funding to BodyWhys, the national voluntary organisation supporting those with eating disorders. Bodywhys provides a range of support services for people affected by eating disorders, including specific services for families and friends. As the House will be aware, a special allocation of €35 million was provided in budget 2012 for mental health. The funding will be used primarily to strengthen community mental health teams in both adult and children's mental health services, by ensuring, at a minimum, that at least one of each mental health professional discipline is represented on every team. More than 400 additional staff will be recruited to support initiatives under the €35 million package. It is intended that the additional resources will be rolled out in conjunction with a scheme of appropriate clinical care programmes. Three areas in particular will be prioritised in 2012, one of which will be around the treatment and care of patients with eating disorders. These programmes are currently being finalised.

On the regulation of psychotherapists and counsellors, the priority of the Department of Health for the foreseeable future is the statutory registration of the conventional therapies, through the full establishment of the Health and Social Care Professionals Council. Before statutory registration can be considered for other therapies, such as counselling and psychotherapy, there is a need for each individual therapy to federate so that it can advise, as a single voice, on professional standards. That was a recommendation of the report of the national working group on the regulation of complementary therapists. The Higher Education and Training Awards Council is currently working with representatives of the professional bodies and higher education institutions that provide courses in counselling and psychotherapy, along with international experts, to determine national standards of knowledge, skill and competence to be required for the award of higher education qualifications in these fields. While academic qualifications are not sufficient in themselves as a means of professional regulation, agreement on academic standards does form a critical building block for any modern regulatory system for professions. I trust this clarifies the issues for the Deputy.

Deputy Thomas P. Broughan

I thank the Minister for attending and for his reply. We all welcome the allocation of the €35 million secured through the budget by our colleague, the Minister of State, Deputy Kathleen Lynch, for mental health services. The question is, however, whether it will lead to more acute beds in front line services. That is one of the main points of today's debate.

I have liaised with the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, Deputy Frances Fitzgerald, on the problem with psychiatric services for 16 year olds and 17 year olds. I am sure the Minister is aware of the issue. I welcome the point made by the Minister on the certification of psychotherapists and counsellors. As outlined by him on the second page of his reply, however, it appears to be a lengthy process. Is there some way the Minister could take decisive legislative action either by administrative means or otherwise to ensure the process is accelerated?

An issue of fairness arises in terms of the current provision. The Minister mentioned that some independent providers have been licensed to offer services but the fact remains that families on lower incomes will not be able to access them. There is still a clear requirement for additional beds.

Education is a major issue, both for the Department of Health and the Department of Education and Skills in terms of self-perception and people being accepting of different body types. I recently heard the Minister speak forcefully about smoking. He made a strong case on health grounds. I commend him on his interest in this major issue. Perhaps this is another area in which the Department could put its shoulder to the wheel in terms of education.

Deputy Mary Mitchell O'Connor raised the issue of websites which seem to promote anorexia and bulimia. I am concerned about the action that should be taken in this regard. I note the French Government has taken decisive action - the government there might change on Sunday to the benefit of all of us in this House. Does the Minister propose to take action against people who are causing harm? I accept he did respond previously to Deputy Mitchell O'Connor on the matter, as did the Minister of State, Deputy Kathleen Lynch.

Deputy James Reilly

I thank the Deputy opposite for his comments on the additional resources made available by the Government for mental health issues. It is an area to which the Government is very committed. The Taoiseach is also very interested in it. More work remains to be done in terms of having more organisation around specific beds for the treatment of eating disorders. Currently, as Deputy Broughan outlined, there are a number of designated beds but other beds are also used for the treatment of such conditions.

Like Deputy Broughan, the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, Deputy Fitzgerald, and I are concerned about the changes that occurred vis-à-vis the law on the age of a child, which increased from 16 years to 18 years and the difficulties that created in terms of the provision of proper psychiatric and psychological services for children in that age group.

I am very concerned about regulation. The printed reply might have referred to the future but I am aware the change must be more urgent. There is a real need for GPs and community nurses in particular, and other professionals, to be confident they are referring individuals who need counselling, whether for an eating disorder or otherwise, to properly qualified and competent individuals. The regulation of counsellors and psychotherapists is very much on my agenda. As I outlined, we are currently organising issues around ancillary health professionals but I also want to address the issue of other therapists. I believe there is a real role for people in this area but there is a need to protect patients and ensure they are going, and the referring physician, nurse or clinician can have the confidence that he or she is referring, to a suitably qualified person.

I note the issue of education in this area. Certainly, that requires more co-operation between ourselves and the Department.

The other issue about websites and licensing is something I will discuss with the Minister of State, Deputy Kathleen Lynch, and we should raise that as well with the Ministers, Deputies Fitzgerald and Shatter, on a cross-departmental basis.

As Deputy Broughan pointed out, it is an area of real concern. It is a difficult area to treat for professionals. If intervention occurs early, the bulk of cases can be handled without admission to hospital, but there are occasions when that is required. Certainly, we will look into how we can better organise that facility in a more specialised way.