Longford schools included in counselling pilot plan
Longford is among seven counties included in a pilot programme that will see primary schools receive in the region of €5m for counselling and mental health supports.
The pilot programme, also involving schools from Leitrim and Cavan is being viewed as a landmark move in the local educational sector.
“The first strand will provide for an allocation of sessions of one-to-one counselling in primary schools with up to eight counselling sessions for each individual child being supported,” said Longford-Westmeath Fianna Fáil TD Joe Flaherty.
“The programme is expected to support 4500 children and the programme will not replace existing services but rather provide an early intervention response to emerging need.”
Deputy Flaherty said the programme will also see a Wellbeing Practitioner being introduced to work with schools on early intervention and wellbeing promotion.