Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 3 July 2018
205. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Education and Skills the steps in place to promote teacher well-being; and if such measures will be augmented in view of international concerns regarding the importance of teacher wellbeing to a high quality education service. [29430/18]
View answerAn Occupational Health Strategy is in place as a supportive resource for teachers. The aim of this strategy is to promote the health of teachers in the workplace, with a focus primarily on prevention rather than cure. The Occupational Health Strategy comprises of the Employee Assistance & Wellbeing Programme (EAWP) and the Occupational Health Service (OHS) for teachers.
The EAWP is a free confidential service available to teachers and their immediate family members. It is accessible by means of a Freephone dedicated helpline which is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, providing counselling on a range of personal health and wellbeing issues given by qualified clinicians. Up to 6 face-to-face counselling sessions are available to provide supportive and solution-focused care based on an individual’s clinical needs.
The OHS is in place to assist employers in carrying out their duty under Section 8 of the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005 to “ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, the safety, health and welfare at work of his or her employees”. In order to discharge these management responsibilities effectively and efficiently, it is essential that employers have access to professional occupational health advice on medical fitness for work. The OHS encompasses health management and incorporates pre-employment health assessments, sickness absence management referrals, medical assessments of fitness for work and ill health retirement assessments and appeals.
My Department regularly reviews the current Occupational Health Strategy with the partners in education to ensure best practice in early intervention and prevention for supporting positive occupational health and wellbeing.
