Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I can confirm in fact that 733 blocks of counselling have been allocated, benefiting 733 children. What I can say is that is has been difficult to recruit in certain areas. As I said, two counsellors were available to work in Leitrim, and I am pleased to say that on 11 April, an additional counsellor was added to the panel who is available to work in schools in Leitrim. The Department is actively recruiting counsellors to work on this pilot, and I encourage all counsellors who are accredited by the accrediting bodies to make themselves available for this important work. This is a first in the area of primary schools. There is, as the Deputy has said, an absolute need for it. It is working, and it is working very successfully in areas where there are two types of pilots. As I have said, one is where there is one-to-one counselling. It has been easier in some areas to access the counsellors than in others but I am pleased to say we now have the third counsellor in place for Leitrim, and the 15 well-being practitioners that are working under the guidance of NEPS.

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