Vol. 408 No. 9
79 Mr. J. Higgins asked the Minister for Education the number of additional career guidance-counsellor positions which will be created in post-primary schools in September, 1991; and if he will outline the schools to which the additional posts will become available.
Each post-primary school with an enrolment of 500 or more pupils is entitled to an ex-quota career guidance-counsellor post. At present there are 320 ex-quota career guidance teachers-counsellors in post-primary schools as follows: Secondary, 208; Vocational, 58; Community and Comprehensive 54.
In addition, a total of 26 remedial-guidance posts have been allocated to vocational education committees.
Any school which currently does not have an ex-quota career guidance teacher-counsellor may apply for one on the basis of projected enrolments of 500 or over in September 1991.
At this stage it is not possible to determine the number of additional ex-quota career guidance-counsellor posts which will be created in September 1991.
It should be pointed out, however, that a school, may, if it so desires, appoint a career guidance teacher-counsellor within its quota of teachers. Information on the actual numbers of such appointments is not available in the Department.
Under the recently agreed Programme for Economic and Social Progress, a phased programme, starting 1992-93 and for completion in 1994-95 will be introduced to provide for the recognition on an ex-quota basis of 0.5 of a wholetime post for guidance in secondary and community-comprehensive schools in the 350-499 enrolment category, with a similar provision for vocational schools to be made on a VEC scheme basis in consultation with management and teacher representatives.
