The Joint Committee on Drugs Use, chaired by Deputy Gary Gannon, met on Thursday, the 20th of November 2025, in Committee Room 4 of Leinster House to discuss education, awareness, and addiction prevention in schools. The Committee was joined by officials and representatives from: 

• The Department of Education and Youth
• The Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science
• National Association of Principals and Deputy Principals (NAPD)
• The Health Research Board (HRB)
• The Health Service Executive (HSE)

Watch video recording of the session on the Oireachtas website [Starts at 4.28 minutes and lasts about 2 hours]

Opening statements (PDFs):

• Opening statement, Aisling Sheehan, Programme Lead Alcohol, Mental Health & Wellbeing, Health Service Executive Statement by Aisling Sheehan on Education, Awareness and Addiction Prevention in Schools
• Opening statement, Rachel O’Connor, Deputy Director, National Association of Principals and Deputy Principals (NAPD) Statement by Rachel O’Connor on Education, Awareness and Addiction Prevention in Schools
• Opening statement, Sarah Craig, Director of Health Information and Evidence, Health Research Board Statement by Sarah Craig on Education, Awareness and Addiction Prevention in Schools
• Opening statement, Grainne Egan, Principal Officer, Department of Education and Youth Statement by Grainne Egan on Education, Awareness and Addiction Prevention in Schools
• Opening statement, Maria O’Brien, Principal Officer, Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science Statement by Maria O’Brien on Education, Awareness and Addiction Prevention in Schools

Speaking before the meeting, Cathaoirleach Deputy Gannon said: “This week, the Committee will focus on the role of education in shaping how young people understand drugs use and addiction, and the supports that exist across our education system. Education plays a vitally important role in building awareness and reducing the stigma that often surrounds addiction. It can give young people not only the information but the confidence to seek help and to support their peers. The Committee looks forward to engaging with this week’s witnesses to discuss the services and supports available to students, including Social, Personal, and Health Education (SPHE), the Youthreach programme, and the Framework for Response to the Use of Illicit Substances in Higher Education. The Committee will also discuss the courses available to students interested in pursuing third-level education in areas such as addiction and drug dependency.”

The Joint Committee on Drugs Use has 14 Members, nine from the Dáil and five from the Seanad.

EDITORS NOTES:

Witnesses and officials include:

• Ms. Celeste O'Callaghan, Principal Officer, Department of Education and Youth
• Ms. Grainne Egan, Principal Officer, Department of Education and Youth
• Ms. Maria O'Brien, Principal Officer, Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science
• Mr. Rob O'Toole, Principal Officer, Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science
• Ms. Rachel O'Connor, Deputy Director, National Association of Principals and Deputy Principals (NAPD)
• Dr. Sarah Craig, Director of Health Information and Evidence, Health Research Board (HRB)
• Mr. Brian Galvin, Programme Manager for Drug and Alcohol Research, HRB Evidence Centre, Health Research Board (HRB)
• Professor Bobby Smyth, Consultant Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist, Adolescent Addiction Service, Health Service Executive
• Dr. Aisling Sheehan, Programme Lead Alcohol, Mental Health & Wellbeing, Health Service Executive