Vol. 478 No. 7
146 Mr. E. Byrne asked the Minister for Education if she will give immediate recognition to the multiple problems faced by the teaching staff of a school (details supplied) in Dublin 12, and sanction, as a matter or urgency, a teacher-counsellor in view of the submission by the school; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11947/97]
I am aware of the submission from the school in question in support of its request for a teacher-counsellor post. Under the current pilot phase of the teacher-counsellor scheme, 27 teacher-counsellor posts have been allocated to selected schools in the north inner city and Clondalkin areas of Dublin. The role of the teacher-counsellor is two-fold: to co-ordinate a whole-school approach to devising and implementing good practice and strategies that will help to prevent the occurrence of disruptive behaviour, and to teach and counsel small groups and individuals who exhibit persistent behaviour difficulties in the classroom.
The operation of the pilot phase of this scheme is being closely monitored by my Department's inspectorate. The question of any further expansion of the scheme will be considered following a detailed review of the pilot phase and having regard to resource availability. The needs of the school in question will be considered in the context of any expansion of the scheme which may be undertaken.
