Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 25 July 2023
507. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Education the projected cost of the current pilot programme of counselling supports for primary school pupils; the projected cost of a nationwide roll-out; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37015/23]
View answerI was delighted to announce a pilot programme to provide counselling and mental health supports in primary schools. I secured €5m in Budget 2023 for this pilot which will be rolled out in the school year 2023/24. As we know there is increasing concern about the mental health and wellbeing of children and young people both nationally and internationally. This pilot will complement ongoing work and resources to support children’s mental health and wellbeing currently provided in schools.
There are two strands in the pilot. Strand 1 will see the provision of one-to-one counselling to support some children in counties Cavan, Laois, Leitrim, Longford, Mayo, Monaghan and Tipperary
Strand 2 will see the establishment of a new type of support from Education Wellbeing/Mental Health Teams for clusters of primary schools. This Strand will also see the introduction of Education Wellbeing/Mental Health Practitioners, who will work as part of a team under the direction and supervision of NEPS in schools across Cork, Dublin 7, Dublin 16 and Carlow.
It is anticipated that the majority of the €5m budget will be spent on payment to counsellors in Strand 1 in the school year 2023/24. An evaluation of the pilot will be carried out which will consider the feasibility of a national rollout including potential costs.
