4 May 2021, 08:19
The Joint Committee on Education, Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science will meet this afternoon to discuss School Bullying and the Impact on Mental Health.
This will be a roundtable discussion with Psychologists/experts in child and youth mental health, and is the first of a series of committee meetings which will see relevant stakeholders with expertise come before the committee in the coming weeks.
Speaking in advance of the meeting,Committee Chair, Paul Kehoe TD, said: “Patron Bodies, Unions, Principals and School Management representative bodies, Academic experts, Department of Education Officials and those with expertise in international psychological evidence and best practice are just some of those due before the committee regarding a key priority for the Committee, Bullying and Mental Health.”
The meeting will be streamed live on Oireachtas TV and begins at 12.30pm in Committee Room 2, with the following witnesses appearing.
- Dr. Colman Noctor, Board member, Mental Health Ireland;
- Ms. Mary Briody, Psychotherapist;
- Dr. Claire Hayes, Consultant Clinical Psychologist;
- Ms. Stella O’Malley Psychotherapist; and
- Dr. Niall Muldoon, Ombudsman for Children.
Chair Kehoe added: “Schools can play an important role in combating bullying involving children, and training, resourcing and support measures can only enhance the ability of our education system to respond accordingly. Prevention and intervention is key, and we look forward to the insight of Tuesday’s witnesses.”
For more information about the work of the Joint Committee on Education, Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science see the Committee webpage