60% more education therapists needed

The Government has been urged to increase the number of educational psychologists across the country by 60% due to the volume of children needing psychological support.

According to Impact trade union, which represents members of the National Educational Psychological Service, 15%-20% of students have significant emotional or behavioural issues and are reliant on schools to help meet their needs.

At present there are 162 full-time equivalent psychologists providing a school psychology service to all primary and post-primary schools in the country.