Paul Lawless (Mayo, Aontú)
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126. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the actions she is taking to expand mental health supports in primary and secondary schools, including the provision of structured training and resources for teachers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17166/25]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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The Department of Education is committed to supporting the emotional wellbeing of our children. The Department’s National Educational Psychological Service (NEPS) provides educational psychological support to all primary and post-primary and special schools. The NEPS service provides access to:

- Psychological support in the event of a Critical Incident

- A Casework Service for individual children via a NEPS psychologist or through the Scheme for the Commissioning of Psychological Assessments (SCPA).

- A school staff Support and Development Service, to build school capability to provide a comprehensive continuum of support in schools and

- Ongoing access to advice and support for schools.

Since June 2023, we have been piloting a programme of counselling and mental health supports in primary schools. Strand 1 sees direct counselling supports being provided to primary schools for the first time in primary schools in 7 pilot counties. In October 2024, Strand 1 was extended to 61 urban DEIS primary schools in Dublin. Strand 2 is the introduction of Education Wellbeing Teams to provide enhanced in-school supports in four cluster areas. The pilot is currently being externally evaluated.

Neart – the Irish word for strength, is the new national programme of mental health and wellbeing resources and training for post-primary schools that is being delivered by Jigsaw.

Oide, the Department’s teacher professional learning service also provides high-quality professional learning supports to teachers and school leaders. Supports for wellbeing include Child Protection, Anti-bullying, Junior Cycle CSPE, Junior Cycle SPHE, Senior Cycle SPHE and Wellbeing.

NEPS teams offer training and guidance for teachers in the provision of universal and targeted evidence-informed approaches and early intervention to promote children’s wellbeing, social, emotional and academic development.