Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 18 April 2018
150. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Health the way in which his Department will engage with the development of the action plan on Internet safety that will be published in June 2018; if he will be engaging with stakeholders within this area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16883/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra151. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Health the way in which he will be engaging with Internet companies on the policy areas under his remit in the development of the action plan on Internet safety; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16884/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra153. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Health the process by which his Department will be developing and contributing draft actions to be considered as part of the action plan on Internet safety to be published in June 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16890/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 150 to 153, inclusive, together.
The Action Plan will be developed and contributed to by a number of Departments, including the Department of Health. As the Department of the Taoiseach has responsibility for the coordination of this Action Plan, the main questions posed would be better directed to that department.
The Department of Health recognises the importance of Internet Safety, with several actions and initiatives in this area. These include Connecting for Life, the National Taskforce on Youth Mental Health, and online mental health support courses.
Connecting for Life, Ireland’s National Strategy to reduce suicide, commits to engaging with online platforms to encourage best practice in reporting around suicidal behaviour, so as to encourage a safer online environment in this area.
The Programme for Partnership Government (2016) committed to the establishment of a National Taskforce on Youth Mental Health “to consider how best to introduce and teach resilience, coping mechanisms, greater awareness to children and young people, and how to access support services voluntarily at a young age.”
The Task Force process came to a conclusion last summer and its final set of recommendations were published in December. The recommendations include actions in areas such as consultation and advocacy; awareness and training; accessibility and alignment of mental health services; and improving knowledge through research online youth mental health supports.
Work in this area is further informed by good practice guidelines for the safe delivery of online mental health information and support commissioned by the National Office for Suicide Prevention in 2015.
