Inquiry regarding the cessation of funding for the school psychologists’ advisory line 1226 (no. 683)
Session: 15th Estonian Parliament, 5th session, plenary session
Date: 2025-02-17 17:25
Participating Politicians:
Total Speeches: 14
Membership: 15
Agenda Duration: 14m
AI Summaries: 14/14 Speeches (100.0%)
Analysis: Structured Analysis
Politicians Speaking Time
Politicians
Analysis
Summary
The Riigikogu considered a question submitted by members of the Riigikogu Lauri Laats, Vadim Belobrovtsev, Aleksei Jevgrafov, Vladimir Arhipov and Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart regarding the cessation of funding for the school psychologists’ advisory line 1226. Introducing the question, Lauri Laats emphasized that it is a unique, free and anonymous support service, and its termination is a significant problem, especially considering the inadequate availability of psychological assistance in Estonia and the long waiting lists. He noted that, according to the Estonian Association of School Psychologists, the service’s annual cost was only 30,000 euros.
Minister of Education and Research Kristina Kallas responded to the question, explaining that the reason for the termination of funding was the line's extremely low usage. The Minister clarified that the service’s actual annual cost was 55,000 euros. She presented statistics showing that a total of 49 calls were received on the line from January to May 2024, including only six Russian-language calls. The Minister acknowledged that the availability of mental health assistance in Estonia is limited, but the ministry did not consider it reasonable to continue a service that is extremely underutilized for its price. She confirmed that alternatives (such as the Child Helpline 116111, Headstrong and online therapist services) are available, but promised to discuss new ways with the Estonian Association of School Psychologists on how the advisory line can reach those in need.
Decisions Made 1
Decisions were not made.
Most Active Speaker
Lauri Laats was the initiator of the topic and the introducer of the inquiry, presenting a critical viewpoint regarding the government's decision and asking about the lack of communication concerning the repeated questions.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
As the second item on the agenda, the Estonian Parliament will consider the inquiry submitted on January 14 regarding the termination of funding for the school psychologists' advisory helpline 1226, and Lauri Laats has been invited to the podium to present the inquiry.
Lauri Laats
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Lauri Laats emphasized the vital role of the school psychologists' advisory helpline 1226, noting that a service funded with only 30,000 euros is in danger and that the state must find adequate funding or an alternative plan to ensure free, fast, and anonymous help for young people, parents, and educators, and to maintain the availability of Russian- and Ukrainian-language assistance.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Speaker thanked and invited the Minister of Education and Science Kristina Kallas to return to the Riigikogu's rostrum to answer the interpellation.
Haridus- ja teadusminister Kristina Kallas
AI Summary
Education and Science Minister Kristina Kallas said that the counseling line for school psychologists will be discontinued in its current form, because its annual cost and very low usage are not sustainable, and help is available with other services (Peaasjad, 116111, online therapists), and the line's operation under a new model should be discussed further together with the Association of School Psychologists.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Speaker Lauri Hussar thanks the minister and announces that there will be questions, and the first question is presented by his colleague Liina Kersna.
Liina Kersna
Profiling Eesti Reformierakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Liina Kersna noted that although the ministry has informed young people about the free information hotline for school psychologists over the past year, many are unaware of it, and at the described numbers there may not be qualified psychologists answering, which does not align with what studies have shown.
Haridus- ja teadusminister Kristina Kallas
AI Summary
An information hotline created under the Ministry of Education and Science's strategic partnership, for which about €48,940 was allocated and which was advertised, has remained underutilized over the three-year period (up to 40–60 calls per year) and needs to be redesigned in order to reach children and parents.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar asks Evelin Poolametsa to come and perform.
Evelin Poolamets
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Evelin Poolamets pointed out that among young people the leading cause of death is suicide, and asked what could be an alternative to the helpline or how the situation could be improved.
Haridus- ja teadusminister Kristina Kallas
AI Summary
Education and Science Minister Kristina Kallas stressed that although Estonia has child helplines and online services, mental health help for children and young people remains limited, and the main problem is the shortage of professional psychologists and limited appointment availability, which is being addressed by increasing the number of school psychologists and improving the conditions for appointments.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Hussar asks Lauri Laatsi to come forward.
Lauri Laats
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Lauri Laats expresses criticism of the minister's response, notes that the number of children in need of assistance is large, and the telephone line 1226 (with a budget of 55,000 euros) does not fulfill its purpose, calls for a deeper look into the causes, and, for comparison, points to the COVID-19 period's insufficient notification, where the eesti.ee email address did not reach people, and emphasizes that investing in informing the public would be the right direction, not shutting down the line.
Haridus- ja teadusminister Kristina Kallas
AI Summary
The minister said that notifications were made from 2021 to 2023 directly to schools and parents and via Rajaleidja centers, not via eesti.ee, and although the advisory helpline has not gone live, this line is currently suspended.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The chair, Lauri Hussar, thanked Liina Kersna, explained that in inquiries one may submit only a single question and there are no more questions, and declared the discussions open, then closed them and ended the consideration of today’s second item on the agenda.