Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 26 Jan 2000

Vol. 513 No. 1

Written Answers. - School Counselling Service.

Michael Noonan

Question:

747 Mr. Noonan asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will establish a counselling service in primary schools in disadvantaged areas for specific children and their parents; the submissions, if any, he has had to set up this service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1402/00]

Minister for Education and Science (Mr. Martin):

Proposals to provide a range of existing and new primary school services and supports for children from disadvantaged backgrounds will be considered under the terms of "The New Deal – A Plan for Educational Opportunity" that the Taoiseach announced on 15 December 1999. Plans are already under way to carry out a survey of all primary schools in the country to establish the levels of concentration in them of children who are at risk of educational disadvantage. Tiers of supports that will reflect levels of need will then be put in place in support of the schools and of the children who attend them.

My Department has a support teacher project in operation in 48 schools in which there are significant numbers of pupils with disruptive, disturbed or withdrawn behaviours. Forty two support teachers work in the schools on two levels. They support the targeted children's learning through individual and group work. Together with the principal, the class teacher and the remedial teacher, they form part of a vital support team in delivering a comprehensive learning support that addresses the individual needs of children with behaviours that have a negative impact on their own learning and also on the learning of their peers. The support teachers also make a significant contribution to the development of school policy on behavioural management and on the development of appropriate management strategies and skills. A comprehensive in-career development programme supports the project development.

In September 1999, I extended the home-school-community liaison scheme to provide a liaison service for the remaining primary and post-primary schools that are designated by my Department as serving areas of disadvantage and did not already have the service. An important dimension of the liaison service is the support and development of parents' self-confidence and capacity to fulfil their roles as primary educators and to collaborate with schools in the education of their children.

Counselling and guidance supports for children in primary schools are within the pastoral care remit of the teaching staff of the schools. Children in need of more formal counselling must be referred to appropriately qualified and insured personnel subject to normal constraints such as parental consultation and permission. My Department is not immediately aware of any submissions relating to this issue. However, counselling practitioners seeking involvement with my Department in the delivery of formal counselling services are appraised of this approach.