Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 13 July 2023
371. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Education the estimated cost to increase guidance counsellor provision by 50%; the number of WTE required; and the estimated cost of providing an additional guidance counsellor in each secondary school. [35140/23]
View answerI can advise the Deputy that Guidance Counsellors are allocated on a Pupil Teacher Ratio (PTR) based on the number of students enrolled in the school. As set out in the staffing circular staffing circular www.gov.ie/en/circular/84e36-staffing-arrangements-in-voluntary-secondary-schools-for-the-202324-school-year/.
“Each school receives an allocation in respect of Guidance Provision. It is calculated by reference to the approved enrolment, including PLC pupils. The allocation is the difference between the PTR of 19:1 and a reduced PTR:
|
School Category |
Reduced PTR |
|
Free Education Scheme – Non DEIS |
18.4 |
|
Free Education Scheme – DEIS |
17.65 |
|
Fee Charging |
18.60 |
In deploying the guidance allocation, schools are encouraged to give due consideration to the pivotal role the qualified guidance counsellor plays in the implementation of the whole school guidance plan. The guidance counsellor will require time for individual student appointments, for Guidance lessons, and general guidance related work within the context of the Whole School Guidance plan”.
The current allocation of Guidance Counsellors for post-primary schools for 2023/24 is 928 posts. The average cost of employing a teacher is currently €73,270 (incl ER PRSI).
The estimated cost therefore, to increase the current allocation of Guidance Counsellors by 50% (464 posts) would be 464 x €73,270 = €33,997,280 per year.
There were 727 post primary schools in Ireland in 2022/23. The estimated cost of providing an additional full time guidance counsellor to each post-primary school would be 727 x €73,270 = €53,267,290 per year.
