Counselling services to be rolled out to Mayo primary school pupils

The Minister for Education Norma Foley has confirmed that counselling services will be provided to children attending Mayo primary schools under a new €5 million pilot programme.

It is the first time a counselling service has been rolled out in Irish primary schools.

The pilot programme will be delivered across two strands.

The first will see one-to-one counselling sessions for primary schools via access to a Department of Education-approved counsellor.

The second will see the introduction of wellbeing practitioners, who will work under the supervision of National Educational Psychological Service (NEPS) psychologists.

Welcoming this significant step towards giving children access to the help they need, Minister Dara Calleary said: "The department and the minister has recognised the impact of Covid-19 on primary school-aged children - this service is designed to help those young students who may be suffering from mental health challenges as a result of the pandemic."

The news has also been welcomed by Deputy Alan Dillon, Deputy Michael Ring and Senator Lisa Chambers.