Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 21 Feb 2002

Vol. 549 No. 2

Written Answers. - School Staffing.

Róisín Shortall

Ceist:

186 Ms Shortall asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of the extra 50 career guidance counsellors earmarked by his Department who have to date been recruited; the reason guidance counsellors with relevant qualifications other than teaching qualifications are ineligible to be recruited on a permanent basis; if this can be changed in view of the difficulty in recruiting guidance counsellors; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6268/02]

Minister for Education and Science (Dr. Woods)

My Department is not aware of any school that received an allocation in respect of guidance under the guidance enhancement initiative being unable to implement the proposals on which the allocation was made because of failure to recruit a suitably trained guidance counsellor.

Class guidance is an integral part of the overall guidance programme. Guidance should form part of the school plan and, in the circumstances, guidance counsellors should understand and have experienced the nature of teaching.

To be appointed in a permanent capacity as a guidance counsellor in a second level school, a person must hold the necessary qualifications for the purposes of appointment as a teacher in a second level school. There are no plans at present to change this requirement.

I am satisfied that adequate numbers of teachers are being trained as guidance counsellors to meet the current demand for guidance counsellors in schools.