I move: "That the Bill be now read a Second Time." I thank the Minister of State for being here and Deputies Darren O’Rourke and Jen Cummins for being in the Chamber. As I speak on this legislation for the second time, it is important for me personally and professionally, being a former secondary school teacher, as well as being an epileptic, having been diagnosed at the age of 21. This legislation is personally and professionally significant for me. The Bill would improve access to training and resources for school staff to confidently and competently respond in emergency situations, including the safe administration of prescribed medication, where necessary. My intention in putting forward this legislation is to create a clear framework for first aid and medical emergency training in our schools, promote awareness and enable quicker access to life-saving interventions, where appropriate. Having worked in classrooms across Cork and having experienced epilepsy in my own life, I understand how important it is that schools are prepared for medical emergencies. Awareness is important, but awareness must lead to action. Every student and every staff member deserves to feel safe and supported in their school community. We need to empower those working in school communities to respond to issues when they occur, from epilepsy to allergies, and to make sure those working in schools are fully equipped to provide emergency care when medical assistance is required. It is inevitable that most teachers will face such a moment at some stage in their profession. We must ensure that they are properly trained and supported when they do. There are many steps between introducing legislation and seeing it working effectively in our schools. We must ensure that staff are supported every step of the way. This includes guaranteeing that school personnel are protected from liability, where they act in good faith and in accordance with training, if an adverse medical outcome occurs. Confidence and clarity are crucial if we want this initiative to succeed. As legislators, it is our duty to ensure protections are in place that safeguard our young people and those who care for them every day. This legislation is about preparedness, prevention and peace of mind for students, parents and staff alike. With the right supports, training and legal clarity, we can build a safer school environment for everyone. I also wish to speak about a number of the groups I have met. Obviously, I meet quite frequently with Epilepsy Ireland. I am going to read some of what the group has said, It stated that, given its Seizure Safe Schools campaign, I had engaged with Epilepsy Ireland to update it on my plans to introduce this Bill. Commenting on the news that the Bill would be introduced in the Dáil this week, its advocacy and communications manager, Paddy McGeoghegan said: We are very pleased to see Deputy Kenny bring forward this legislation which further amplifies how epilepsy and other medical emergencies can present in the classroom. Ensuring our teachers and educators are equipped with the information they need from the outset is the whole purpose of our calls for Seizure Safe Schools. The bill obviously expands to other medical conditions and not just epilepsy, but we are delighted to see legislation being introduced that could make Seizure Safe Schools a reality. From our ongoing contact with Oireachtas members on the need for Seizure Safe Schools, we know there is broad support for what we are calling for – and we hope that there will be similar support for this new legislation. In relation to Allergy Action Ireland, it has given me a fantastic briefing note and some very important pieces of information I want to lay before the House. An estimated 160,000 people, 1% to 2% of adults and 5% to 6% of children, live with food allergies. A 2024 study from the University of Galway found that 80% of teachers and special needs assistants in primary schools had not been trained to recognise the signs of a severe allergic reaction, and 77% were not trained to administer an adrenaline auto-injector. Those are quite severe statistics when we think about it. Some 80% of teachers and special needs assistants, the core number of staff we have in our schools, are not trained to recognise the signs of severe allergic reactions, and 77% are not trained to administer auto-injectors. In February 2026, Benedict’s Law was formally introduced in England, committing to introduce mandatory statutory allergy guidance to schools through the Department for Education. In Canada, a similar law was passed in 2005, Sabrina’s Law. These are two laws I can reference in relation to this legislation. Sabrina's Law, introduced in Canada in 2005, 21 years ago, is legislation quite similar to this. In February of this year, not too long ago, as I said, Benedict’s Law was introduced in England. It is very similar to this legislation. There is cross-party support when it comes to this Bill as many of these groups have already met with a number of committees. I am going to read some of the experiences and give figures in relation to this. Some 81 people responded to Allergy Action Ireland on its Instagram page. Some 63% of them said teachers in their child's school did not receive training on using an auto-injector. Some 17% selected “a tell us more” option and shared mostly negative experiences where training and knowledge depended on the individual. They shared that teachers were doing their best but it was not enough. Training was provided by a parent or there was no training provided at all. Just 20% felt the teachers in their child’s school received adequate training and 52% of the 82 respondents were unhappy with the safety of their children at school. Some 16% selected “a tell us more” option and shared similarly negative experiences, citing the same lack of training and awareness among teachers and school staff. In some cases schools have implemented a “no-nut” policy, but this is undertaken on an ad hoc basis. Some 32% feel that their child is safe in school. That is a very poor statistic when we think about the number of children we have in our school system, and the more than 4,000 schools we have in the country. That statistic is quite stark and at the end of the day, all of us in this House, party politics aside, every single one of us wants to ensure children feel safe in their school environment. A parent and nurse in Dublin states: Passage of this Bill is an important step in giving greater confidence to all involved with the school system that any intervention given to a student in the event of a medical emergency is supported by legislation and appropriate training. First, it gives students suffering from severe conditions the confidence that support is available in the school setting, especially as those students are children. Second, it gives school staff the confidence to engage with training and helps support students in the knowledge that there is legislative backing supported by formal training in any intervention. Third, it gives parents and carers the confidence that there is structure that supports their child in school in the event of an emergency medical incident. I am the parent of two boys in secondary school, both of whom have severe allergies to a number of foods which can result in a medical emergency. The current situation is that in agreement with the school, I attend at the start of each year and carry out training with the school staff. I am lucky that the school is receptive of this, and that I am both a qualified nurse and educator as part of my role. Many other parents and children do not have these advantages. I have always found staff open and receptive to this but my experience is narrow; a particular school and medical issue. I believe formalised training with clear protocols can help improve confidence and outcomes compared to the existing ad hoc arrangements in place. As first responders, there are significant asks of school staff in the event of an emergency, and it is only proper that they are supported in a structured and formal way to help deliver the often life-saving care that may be necessary. In my experience of talking to school staff, the overwhelming theme is that staff, including teachers, SNAs and support staff just want to be able to do the right thing. Keeping children safe as well as providing an education is their priority. I know the priority for all of us across this House is the very same. The person continued: Some of the questions which come up are enlightening. There is a fear of getting things wrong, concern at how exactly to administer the medication and monitor the child, and concern of blame if something goes wrong. One SNA asked me what happened if a child was not given an EpiPen. The answer that they would watch him die in front of their eyes was stark and powerful, but it was not intended to raise fear. There is a risk through the informal nature of these sessions that they could be seen as scaremongering. That is why formal training is so important. Linked with that, it is critical that anyone asked to intervene is supported and knowledgeable about what they are being asked to do. I am also going to read some of what has been said by a parent and teacher in County Kerry: Ten years ago I brought my son to allergy specialists and found out he is allergic to cow’s milk and eggs. The doctor perceived I was very nervous and asked why. I answered that as a primary school teacher I had often found myself wearing two or three crossways bags on a school tour containing emergency medication for students I did not teach or know. It would be for a few minutes while other staff were taking a break. I might have known how to administer the medicine, but there was no certainty that I did. Thankfully, my boy successfully worked through the egg and milk ladders, and he can eat both with no issue since. In January of this year, my daughter who is 13 started carrying EpiPens for a peanut allergy. I was shocked to discover nothing has changed. In my experience, EpiPen training only happens if a parent offers it. This is not a judgement of school staff. In my girl’s school there are two very capable first responders who update their training regularly, but administration of EpiPens is not included in this. I really think it should be compulsory for all staff, including ancillary staff, just like child protection training. As a school principal in County Clare, I can testify from the accounts of many teachers and principals at schools are under-resourced and under-supported to intervene in children's emergency care. The Department of Education and Youth persistently fails to commit the necessary support and resources to training in schools, even when it relates to areas the Department itself has identified as priorities. This I think will need considerable effort and I respectfully suggest that any training would be provided as whole-staff training where possible, rather than a cascade model of training. A teacher in Cork says: Recently I had the opportunity to attend the Allergy Wise informal talk on food allergies and it really opened my eyes. Hearing about the daily struggles a child with allergies faces in school both in terms of safety but also socially, was so impactful. The presentation shed light on both the physical effects of allergies and the emotional toll it can take on a child's confidence. It was a powerful reminder of the importance of awareness, inclusion and support. It is a talk that should be given in every school in the country. At the end of the day, this legislation is positive, forward-thinking and relatively fair in terms of the asking of school staff to engage in proper, adequate training to make sure our school environments across this country are safe environments for our children to enter every day of the school week. All children across this country want is a safe, efficient environment to be able to progress in their academia. All parents across this country want, and I am not speaking as a parent but I know from speaking to parents, if they have a child who has a long-term illness, disability or perhaps allergy is to know if the child suffers a medical emergency in their school environment they are safe and the staff within that school environment are trained to deal with medical emergencies. As a member of the Association of Secondary Teachers, ASTI, myself and having spoken to the teaching unions about this, there is general consensus among teachers and school staff across the country that this would be appropriate and they would welcome it from the Department of Education and Youth. We must ensure in the steps we take in making this legislation law, that teachers are protected and indemnified if something was to go wrong in the administering of prescribed medication. It is important legislation and we can work together on it. It is for the benefit of children across the country, and not just children. I taught in schools. Only for the fact that I was able to inform my colleagues of what to do if I was to receive an epileptic seizure, they probably would not have known what to do. They probably would not have known only for the fact that there was another colleague in the school who was also an epileptic. It just so happened that was the case. Thankfully I did not receive an epileptic seizure in the school. I do not speak from experience but I fear if I had it in the time when I was in primary or secondary school what the consequences would have been had I received an epileptic seizure and if there had been no staff member there to prescribe any medication they might have deemed necessary. I am hoping there will be cross-party support in the House and I commend the Bill.

Sentiment score: 0.22

I thank the Minister of State, Deputy Richmond, and the other Deputies. The Minister of State is here longer than me, but this is probably my first time to agree with everything that has been said in the Chamber, from both this side of the House and the other side of the House. A timed amendment is appropriate and necessary. I thank the Government for engaging me on this crucial legislation. The Minister of State referred in his opening statement to engaging with stakeholders. It is extremely important that there would be engagement with stakeholders. I warmly welcome the fact that discussions have already begun between the Department of education and the Department of Health. The Minister of State mentioned legal advice. The indemnity of staff is something that has come up regularly with the three teaching unions. Seeking legal advice as part of the preparatory work is absolutely essential. We must ensure that no extra pressure is added to school staff. As the Minister of State mentioned, we are 21 years behind Canada and Great Britain passed a Bill this year. We can be a flag-bearer across Europe if the legislation is enacted here. I do appreciate that the preparatory work has to be done. I want to state clearly on the record that there are many schools already among the 4,000 schools in the country doing very good work. Some schools have trained personnel on site to deal with medical emergencies. I am not putting every single school into the same bracket. This legislation would ensure that there would be school staff in all schools across the country who are prepared to deal with a medical emergency, be it for a colleague or a student. I want to quickly touch on the keeping of prescribed medication in schools. The Minister of State referenced already that very few schools across the country are able to act as locations for the keeping of prescribed medication. This is about empowering school communities to respond to issues when they occur, from epilepsy to allergies, and to make sure that those working in schools are fully equipped to provide emergency care when medical assistance is required. Once again, I thank the Government for engaging with me on this crucial legislation. I offer to work constructively to see this crucial legislation become law. With the right supports, the right training and the right legal clarity, we can build a safer school environment for all children and school staff.

Sentiment score: 0.30