Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank Ms Kelly. I have a question for Ms Tansey on the National Educational Psychological Service, NEPS, and would like to broaden it out a little. The committee published the report on the impact of Covid-19 on primary and secondary education. The report recommends that emotional and therapeutic supports should be provided in all schools. I have stated to some of the witnesses that perhaps this could be rolled out on a trial basis. Would having access to a professional therapist or counsellor on site help students? Does NEPS have any proposals in this regard?

I will widen the discussion out for other witnesses. I am speaking as a public representative and as a parent, and having spoken to other parents and people who come to me looking for assistance. Covid-19 has had a huge effect on some students, including some students where there may never have been any emotional issues or supports needed or required in the past. I may be totally wrong, and I am referencing anecdotal evidence only, but it appears to be affecting more females than males. They got more attached to their parents because they were at home from March to August, then back to school in September, and then back out of school for the year end again. It was February before they got back going again. Some of these children have never settled back into school. Some of them will not go to school. The parents are having absolutely nightmarish problems with them. These pupils would never, ever have had any problems in the past. Previously they would have gone to school very happily and were very happy students doing very well in school. They have got into the trend of being at home, getting really attached to their parents and losing contact with their friends. They are trying to build that confidence back up again in making friends and getting back into the school cycle and so on. Many of these parents have told me they cannot wait until September comes with some form of normality. This is a huge issue. Is the Department of Education aware of this? The recommendations in our report on the emotional and therapeutic supports are needed now more than ever.

In the past I would have been the person saying that the young people were looking for spoon-feeding, but having listened to the very personal stories from parents, I am convinced of the scale of problem. If I am hearing these stories then I have no doubt other public representatives are hearing them. It is not just where I come from in County Wexford. I have no doubt it is happening throughout the country. Perhaps Ms Tansey would come in on any NEPS proposals for emotional and therapeutic supports. Is NEPS considering it? Could it be rolled out on a trial basis, perhaps to a number of schools throughout the country? Will an official from the Department of Education answer my wider question on the issues happening at the moment and what the Department is hearing from schools across the State?