Special schools and classes for students with mild general learning difficulties are supported by enhanced pupil teacher ratios of 11 to 1. Pupils attending such classes who have care needs are also supported by Special Needs Assistants.
Pupils who require health service supports, including counselling services, are provided with such services by the Health Service Executive (HSE) or through HSE funded agencies.
Where special schools do not have access to psychological services provided by the HSE or HSE-funded agencies those schools are supported by the National Educational Psychological Services (NEPS) and have NEPS psychologists assigned to those schools. Although NEPS psychologists do not provide direct counselling services for students, they do provide advice and support to the teaching personnel catering for students, including students who may have emotional or behavioural difficulties.