Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 17 July 2014
249. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Education and Skills the amount that was spent on the provision of counselling services at third level in each year for the past five years; the amount that has been allocated for the year 2014-2015; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32531/14]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware the student services charge was replaced with the student contribution with effect from the 2011/12 academic year. A working group was subsequently set up by the Higher Education Authority, at the request of my Department, to review and update the Framework of Good Practice for the provision of student services. This working group agreed that among others, welfare and guidance were areas to be included together with counselling as part of student services.
The HEA recently undertook a review of expenditure on student services in the sector and has advised that expenditure on counselling services amounted to some €5.55m in 2010/11, €5.84m in 2011/12 and €5.97m in 2012/13. Information is not yet available for the 2013/14 academic year.
