A Dublin teacher has raised concerns about children as young as primary school age who are self-harming.
Sinead O'Sullivan, who works at a school in the capital, told the annual conference of the Irish National Teachers’ Organisation (INTO) that teachers had seen the evidence of self-harm and it was "extremely distressing".
A motion for better support for children with special educational needs and mental health difficulties was being debated at the conference when the teacher raised the issue.
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She said: “It is extremely distressing that there are children of primary school age who are self-harming but we are seeing it.
"We need targeted and specialised services and therapies to be made readily available for school children.”
Alice O’Donnell, a member of the INTO’s Education Committee, said that trainers were “not trained, not supported and not resourced to support pupils who are experiencing mental health issues”.
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Delegates have asked for schools to be provided with specialised services for children who are showing signs of mental health issues to meet their needs.
In another motion raised at the conference, primary teachers have demanded equal funding between primary and second level schools.
It was revealed at the conference that Irish primary schools received significantly less funding than second and third level institutions.
Overall, for every €8 spent on primary schools, €11 is spent at second level and €15 at third level.
Speaking in favour of the motion for equal funding, teacher Michael McConigley said, “It is an embarrassment that funding for primary schools does not meet the basic needs. Headaches over rising light, heat and electricity costs distract our leaders from their primary function, to lead teaching and learning.”
