Carlow primary school children to be offered free counselling under pilot scheme

Minister for Education Norma Foley TD has announced the extension of a €5 million pilot scheme of counselling and wellbeing/mental health supports to primary school pupils.

From September children in primary schools in Carlow, Cork and Dublin will have the opportunity to avail of free counselling services, the minister announced on Thursday. 

The first strand of the programme saw one-to-one counselling sessions for primary schools across counties Cavan, Laois, Leitrim, Longford, Mayo, Monaghan, Tipperary, via access to a Department of Education-approved counsellor. Strand two of the scheme will see the introduction of wellbeing practitioners, who will work under the supervision of National Educational Psychological Service (NEPS) psychologists. 

Fianna Fáil TD Jennifer Murnane O'Connor has welcomed the annoucement: “I’m very pleased my party colleague Minister for Education Norma Foley has extended this significant pilot programme. It is the first time that primary school children in Carlow will be offered free counselling services,” she said. 

“Minister Foley has recognised the impact of Covid-19 on primary school-aged children and this service is designed to help those young students who may be suffering from mental health challenges stemming from the pandemic.

“It will further complement existing resources to support children’s mental health and wellbeing already being provided in our schools.''

The supports will focus on strengthening whole-school preventative approaches and include the provision of psycho-education support for parents and teachers, as well as the provision of early intervention to groups of children or individual children with mild or emerging needs, using low-level therapeutically informed approaches.

Among the 21 Carlow schools included under the pilot are Fr Cullen Memorial National School, Bishop Foley Memorial Boys National School, Scoil Nais Iosef Naofa, Queen of Universe NS and St Laserians Mixed NS.

The Carlow TD said Fianna Fáil in Government will continue to explore ways to improve supports for young people, including around increased awareness and promoting help-seeking behaviour to the wide range of available services.

“Developing and promoting wellbeing across our education system is a key priority for Fianna Fáil in Government as it is essential to allowing children to learn and grow to the very best of their abilities,” Ms Murnane O'Connor added.