Sir, – I am writing in response to the article regarding recruitment for the counselling in primary schools pilot (“Counselling plan for schoolchildren shelved over shortage of mental health professionals,” August 12th). While we welcome this discussion, the “ongoing difficulties securing appropriately qualified counsellors” cited in the review does not accurately reflect the circumstances surrounding recruitment processes.The Irish Association of Creative Arts Therapists (IACAT) is the accrediting body for more than 700 creative arts therapists nationwide. Since 2023 IACAT has made ongoing efforts to engage constructively with the National Educational Psychology Service and the Department of Education to include our members in the pilot.IACAT accredited members all hold a level nine master’s degree, are bound by a strict code of professional conduct and ethics and align with the Coru standards for training, supervision and continuing professional developmentAdditionally, all IACAT-recognised master’s programmes include training in child development, 99.5 per cent of IACAT members have experience working therapeutically with children and IACAT members were able to offer 1,508 clinical days to support the pilot scheme.It remains unclear as to why some professional bodies were invited to participate, while IACAT members were excluded. It is difficult to reconcile the missed opportunity to include our members, particularly as many of our art, drama, dance and music therapists already work in primary school settings. Future recruitment processes must be fully transparent and equitable. Above all, the programme must unconditionally prioritise the needs of children and young people over any organisational or professional constraints. – Yours, etcCAROLINE HATTERSLEY,Chief executive,Irish Association of Creative Arts Therapists,Dublin 2