AQW 48396/22-27

Mr Pat Sheehan
Sinn Féin
West Belfast

Tabled Date: 10/06/2026
Answered On Date: 18/06/2026
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister of Education to detail any additional (i) counselling; (ii) mental health; and (iii) emotional wellbeing, support that will be made available to children and young people in areas affected by recent public disorder and racially motivated violence.

Answer:

The Education Authority issued guidance to all schools on 11 June outlining the support available to them through EA services and the wider network of statutory agencies. The guidance also outlined several practical resources that are available to the schools via the EA Pupil Wellbeing and the Intercultural Education Services (IES). The IES is also available to support pupils and families, on a 1-2-1 basis, with translation services available.

If a parent, or family, has immediate or significant concerns about their child’s mental health, they should contact their GP in the first instance. For those young people attending post-primary school, special schools and EOTAS provisions the HOPE Service is available. Referrals can be made by pupils, their parent/carer or a teacher.