Kildare TD raises concerns over psychological services for schoolkids in the county

Kildare TD Fiona O'Loughlin has highlighted her concerns at the crisis currently facing the psychological services in schools, saying that it is far worse than initially feared.

It was  previously highlighted that 299 schools across the country do not have access to a psychologist service. However the Department of Education has since corrected a parliamentary reply issued by Minister Bruton and have outlined that there are in fact 397 schools left without a psychologist service.

“The National Educational Psychological Service (NEPS) is chronically under-resourced. There are numerous schools where children have no access to a psychologist service. This is extraordinary when you consider the extreme stresses that many children undergo as they grow older,” said Deputy O' Loughlin.

This issue has been compounded in Kildare by the absence of a full time youth officer for County Kildare. Kildare and Wicklow Education and Training Board have requested that this position be filled however Minister Zappone  in response to a question from O' Loughlin will only go as far as to say she will make a decision in the coming weeks.

" We are failing our young people in so many areas.The schools that do not have an assigned educational psychologist are severely disadvantaged in terms of delays to assessments for special educational needs or behavioural difficulties. Overall children in these schools have limited access to psychological supports and counselling services when a crisis presents. Positions that are vacant and recommended for work with children and young people must be filled as soon as possible."