Róisín Shortall
Question:303 Ms Shortall asked the Minister for Education and Science the plans, if any, he has in relation to the teacher-counsellor service. [19107/00]
Written Answers. - Teacher-Counsellor Project.
The teacher-counsellor project was initiated in 1995 in a number of schools in the Tallaght-Clondalkin area and in Dublin's north inner city. Teacher posts were assigned to individual schools or were shared between schools to assist in supporting pupils with very disruptive behaviours. The project was evaluated by inspectors of my Department in March 1998.
As a result of the evaluation the title of the project was changed to the support teacher project and a revised specification for the role of the teachers involved was introduced in January 1999. This was done to reflect, more accurately, the teachers' qualifications and skills in helping children's development. It reflects the work they do in each of the schools in support of a small group of pupils who display the most disruptive, disturbed or withdrawn behaviours at any given time. The support teachers also have a specific role in supporting the development of school policy in relation to children's behaviours and formulating management strategies for the support of children experiencing behavioural difficulties.
There are 42 support teachers currently serving 48 schools and a project co-ordinator was appointed in January 2000 to work with the support teachers and school staffs.
While there are no immediate plans to extend the project to additional schools, I intend keeping this matter under review in the context of the allocation of resources to schools following the recent survey of concentrations in certain schools of children from disadvantaged backgrounds. I am also mindful, in this context, of the allocation of resources to schools under the terms of the Programme for Prosperity and Fairness.