Most commonly reported Work Activities

• Getting Information Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
• Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
• Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
• Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
• Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events Identifying information by categorising, estimating, recognising differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
• Making Decisions and Solving Problems Analysing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
• Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used.
• Organising, Planning, and Prioritising Work Developing specific goals and plans to prioritise, organise, and accomplish your work.
• Analysing Data or Information Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.
• Communicating with Persons Outside Organisation Communicating with people outside the organisation, representing the organisation to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.

The Work

Educational psychologists deal with the psychological and educational development of people in the education system. This may include students of any age, their parents or guardians and the people who work with them.

Their work can involve both assessment and intervention within the education setting. They are also likely to be involved in training and research on related issues.

Educational psychologists encounter a wide range of problems, when assessing young peoples' learning and emotional needs. For example, some children have learning difficulties in reading and writing. Others have social and emotional problems that lead them to display challenging behaviour in the classroom, or make them unable to make friends. Some children may have a specific learning problem like dyslexia. Very intelligent or 'gifted' children have their own needs and may have problems coping with teachers' and parents' expectations of them.  

 
Educational psychologists usually begin to tackle a case by carrying out a full psychological assessment. This means looking at the young person's needs, both at school and at home. Educational psychologists can work either directly with a child (assessing progress, giving counselling) or indirectly through their work with parents, teachers and other professionals.  
 

 
Educational psychologists also train teachers in different teaching techniques. They help schools to think about and put into practice policies on special needs. Educational psychologists may organise courses and workshops for parents, teachers or other professionals, providing training on issues such as stress management, bullying, specific learning difficulties and behaviour management.  

Work Areas

School system

National Educational Psychological Service (NEPS)

Health & social care system

HSE Children’s Network Disability Teams

HSE CAMHS or Primary Care Psychology

Voluntary Bodies – e.g., Jigsaw, Enable Ireland, Brothers of Charity Services

Third-Level Student Support Teams

Private Practice

Academia

Most commonly reported Work Tasks

• Compile and interpret students' test results, along with information from teachers and parents, to diagnose conditions and to help assess eligibility for special services.
• Maintain student records, including special education reports, confidential records, records of services provided, and behavioral data.
• Report any pertinent information to the proper authorities in cases of child endangerment, neglect, or abuse.
• Select, administer, and score psychological tests.
• Interpret test results and prepare psychological reports for teachers, administrators, and parents.
• Assess an individual child's needs, limitations, and potential, using observation, review of school records, and consultation with parents and school personnel.
• Develop individualised educational plans in collaboration with teachers and other staff members.
• Counsel children and families to help solve conflicts and problems in learning and adjustment.
• Collect and analyse data to evaluate the effectiveness of academic programs and other services, such as behavioral management systems.
• Provide consultation to parents, teachers, administrators, and others on topics such as learning styles and behavior modification techniques.

This occupation is typically suited for people with the following Career Interests:

Investigative

The Investigative person will usually find a particular area of science to be of interest. They are inclined toward intellectual and analytical activities and enjoy observation and theory. They may prefer thought to action, and enjoy the challenge of solving problems with sophiscticated technology. These types prefer mentally stimulating environments and often pay close attention to developments in their chosen field.

Social

The Social person's interests focus on interacting with the people in their environment. In all cases, the Social person enjoys the personal contact with other people in preference to the impersonal dealings with things, data and ideas found in other groups.

Many will seek out positions where there is direct contact with the public in some advisory role, whether a receptionist or a counsellor. Social people are motivated by an interest in different types of people and like diversity in their work environments. Many are drawn towards careers in the caring professions and social welfare area, whilst others prefer teaching and other 'informing' roles.

Administrative

Administrative people are interested in work that offers security and a sense of being part of a larger process. They may be at their most productive under supervisors who give clear guidelines and while performing routine tasks in a methodical and reliable way.

They tend to enjoy clerical and most forms of office work, where they perform essential administrative duties. They often form the backbone of large and small organisations alike. They may enjoy being in charge of office filing systems, and using computers and other office equipment to keep things running smoothly. They usually like routine work hours and prefer comfortable indoor workplaces.

In order to become an Educational Psychologist, an accredited honours undergraduate degree where psychology is the major subject is required. Completion of a recognised accredited postgraduate training programme in Educational psychology is then necessary. Recognition with the The Psychological Society of Ireland (PSI), is the learned and professional body for psychology and psychologists in the Republic of Ireland.

You can enhance your chances of achieving a place on such a programme by gaining a teacher qualification or teaching experience, or experience working with young people in an educational setting. Working with students with disabilities would also be helpful.

Training & Development Pathways

FET PLC Courses: Psychology, Applied Psychology, Education and Training (with Psychology), Psychology & Social Studies at NFQ Levels 5-6 Search FET PLC Courses

Higher Education CAO Entry: Applied Psychology, Arts - Psychology, Education and Psychology - Primary Teaching, English and Psychology, Psychology, Psychology (Through Science), Psychology and Computing, Psychology and Disruptive Technology, Psychology and Mathematics, Psychology and Sociology NFQ Level 8 Search CAO courses

Professional Development 

After completing your journey of learning at Undergraduate level, in order to practice in your chosen branch of Psychology you may undertake a post graduate course. 

Postgraduate Study options Educational Pyschology at NFQ level 9-10.

Last Updated: May, 2024

Salary Range (thousands per year)* €57k - €107k

Salaries vary based on employer, location, experience, duties, and role. 

Data Source(s):
HSE/ ETBI/ PAS

Last Updated: April, 2024

* The lower figures typically reflect starting salaries. Higher salaries are awarded to those with greater experience and responsibility. Positions in Dublin sometimes command higher salaries.

View Salary information from Indeed.ie
Note: data not aways available

This information has been derived from the Solas National Skills Bulletin (2023).

Employment growth was above the national average for this occupation, although employment in 2022 were similar to 2021 levels. The CSO Census data shows that employment was spread across a large number of roles in 2022, with increases across all within this occupation since 2016.

While the numbers employed have increased since 2016, for the most part, the supply from the education and training system has not, and plans to expand training will not have an impact on the potential supply to the labour market in the short-term, given the duration of training required. This has led to issues for a number of roles within this group; for instance, there is an increasing number of students opting to study veterinary medicine in Poland due to the lack of available places to study in Ireland.

Psychologists and pharmacists were added to the employment permits Critical Skills list in June 2022 although new permits issued in 2022 primarily related to radiographers/sonographers, with a small number issued for dentists and pharmacists. With a quarter of those employed aged 55 years or older, replacement demand alone will create job opportunities in the coming years. Demand remains high across these occupations and issues with recruitment are occurring; however, as the numbers employed are too small across the roles for detailed analysis, evidence of shortages are difficult to determine.

• Psychological Society of Ireland (PSI)

  • Digital Office Centre Camden, 12 Camden Row, Saint Kevin’s, Dublin 8, D08 R9CN, Ireland
  • (0)87 387 7179
  • [email protected]
  • Click Here

• Department of Education and Skills

  • Marlborough St, Dublin 1
  • (01) 889 6400
  • [email protected]
  • Click Here

• British Psychological Society

  • St Andrews House, 48 Princess Road East, Leicester LE1 7DR
  • +44 (0)116 254 9568
  • [email protected]
  • Click Here