Ireland’s gov.ie education system is widening access to school-based mental health support through the Counselling in Primary Schools Pilot. The initiative, led by the Department of Education and Youth, is designed to give selected primary pupils timely one-to-one counselling in school settings where needs are most pressing.
First launched in June 2023, the pilot initially covered all primary schools in Cavan, Laois, Leitrim, Longford, Mayo, Monaghan and Tipperary. It was later expanded on 23 October 2024 to include 61 urban DEIS primary schools in Tallaght, Clondalkin, Finglas, Ballymun and Darndale, bringing the gov.ie programme into some of the most disadvantaged communities in the State.
gov.ie primary school counselling pilot: what the programme includes
Under the pilot, schools receive access to a panel of pre-approved, experienced counsellors. The counselling is delivered as in-person, one-to-one support for a limited number of children in participating schools.
- Each child can receive up to six counselling sessions
- Sessions are supported by a meeting before and after counselling with parents or legal guardians and relevant school staff
- School allocations are determined centrally by the Department of Education and Youth
- The service operates as a targeted support rather than a universal offer for every pupil
The Department says this gov.ie pilot is intended to respond to urgent current needs while complementing wider pupil wellbeing supports already in place.
Which schools are covered?
The expanded scheme includes 56 DEIS Urban Band 1 schools and 5 DEIS Urban Band 2 schools across two clusters:
- Dublin Southwest
- North Dublin City
The original seven-county model remains in place alongside the Dublin expansion, showing a broader gov.ie effort to test how counselling can be embedded in primary education.
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How NEPS and other public services fit into the gov.ie support model
A key feature of the gov.ie pilot is the role of the National Educational Psychological Service (NEPS). NEPS psychologists support participating schools in identifying which pupils may benefit from counselling, subject to parental or guardian consent. If a school is awaiting an assigned psychologist, NEPS will arrange support as needed.
The Department also makes clear that the counselling pilot does not replace HSE Primary Care Psychology, CAMHS, or the existing work of NEPS psychologists. Instead, it is an interim, supplementary measure. That distinction matters for families navigating public services such as the Health Service Executive (HSE), Children/Disability/Equality supports, and Citizens Information Board guidance on accessing care pathways.
Who can provide counselling?
The approved panel includes accredited professionals from recognised bodies such as PSI, IAHIP, IACP, IAPTP, ACAP and the Irish Council for Psychotherapy. This framework helps ensure safe, ethical and age-appropriate support for young children.
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What parents, schools and counsellors should know
The publication on gov.ie provides separate information for schools, parents or legal guardians, and counsellors. It includes guidance documents, consent and referral forms, information for children, a social story, complaint procedures, and payment record forms for counsellors.
For counsellors interested in joining the panel, applications remain open on a rolling basis through the Department of Education and Youth. Queries can be directed to CounsellingPilot@education.gov.ie.
This gov.ie pilot marks an important step in Ireland’s wider Education and Health support landscape. If the model proves effective, it could shape future thinking across schools, Social Protection, and local child wellbeing services by showing how early intervention can be delivered where it is needed most.
For families, schools and practitioners, the key takeaway is clear: the gov.ie Counselling in Primary Schools Pilot is a focused attempt to bring practical mental health support closer to children, inside the school community itself.
Article/Image Courtesy: gov.ie