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Teachers' Professional Development

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 12 June 2018

Tuesday, 12 June 2018

Questions (309)

John Brassil

Question:

309. Deputy John Brassil asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of primary and secondary school teachers who have completed SafeTALK and ASIST, applied suicide intervention skills training, courses respectively since May 2016; the provisions in place to support teachers to partake in these courses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24327/18]

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Written answers

In accordance with our commitment under Connecting for Life: Ireland’s National Strategy to Reduce Suicide 2015-2020, my Department, in conjunction with the National Office for Suicide Prevention (NOSP) has introduced a training model for the delivery of SafeTALK suicide prevention training through the Education Centre network. Following discussions with the NOSP on the suitability of the training programmes available, it was considered important to make provision for SafeTALK as a first step. This training model is being provided initially in selected Education Centres, followed by a review to plan further engagement.

This training commenced in the 2017/18 school year in 6 Education Centres. To date 8 primary, 100 post primary and 6 special needs teachers have attended these courses.

It is planned to extend this provision in the 2018/19 school year and NOSP, the Education Centre Network and my Department are working together to offer these courses in a further 6 Education Centres in autumn 2018. Following the completion of this phase and a review of delivery, we will work with NOSP to develop a plan for 2019-2020.

Stakeholders from the education sector can also avail of the suite of training in suicide awareness and prevention provided by NOSP outside of the Education Centre model, as appropriate. For example, between January and December 2017, the National Office for Suicide Prevention (NOSP) received 9,777 completed participant training forms from individuals who had taken part in either a self-harm or suicide prevention training programme. An analysis of participant training forms by sector of employment indicated that 12.10% are within the Education sector.

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