Vol. 461 No. 7
193 Mr. Gregory asked the Minister for Education the plans, if any, she has to extend the pilot scheme of special counsellor teacher posts to assist school with disruptive pupils; and whether posts will be made available to James's Street CBS primary school, Dublin 8, St. Gabriels primary school, Cooper Street, Dublin 7 and schools in the south west inner city area, Dublin 8, who recently sent petitions in this regard. [3606/96]
I have no plans at present to expand the pilot scheme of teacher-counsellors.
The pilot phase of the scheme, under which 27 teacher-counsellors were allocated, is being closely monitored by my Department's primary inspectorate.
The question of further development of the scheme will be considered following a review of the pilot phase and having regard to resource availability.
The needs of the schools referred to by the Deputy will be considered in the context of any further allocation of teacher-counsellor posts.
