Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 18 January 2017
46. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Minister for Education and Skills the details of the plan that has been put in place to develop resilience and emotional coping skills at an early age; the way in which this is being rolled out in primary schools; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39935/16]
View answerMy Department's Action Plan for Education 2016-19 underlines the important function served by the education system in promoting wellbeing in our schools. At an overarching level it commits to supporting schools in the implementation of Wellbeing Guidelines for Primary and Post-Primary schools and providing a framework for a whole-school approach to mental health and wellbeing.
There are a wide number of dimensions to my Department's work in this area and I have recently conducted an audit of our work to ensure that our efforts are integrated and effective.
We plan to step up our engagement in this field in a number of different ways. These include, for example:
- Restoring ex quota guidance provision in post-primary schools;
- Rolling out the 'Friends' and 'Incredible Years' programmes in DEIS schools;
- Implementing a new Wellbeing area of learning at Junior Cycle from September 2017;
- Increasing the resources of the National Educational Psychological Service.
I intend as part of the 2017 Action Plan to develop detailed actions to intensify our work in this area.
