Written answers

Tuesday, 24 May 2022

Department of Education and Skills

School Staff

Photo of Catherine MurphyCatherine Murphy (Kildare North, Social Democrats)
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418. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the estimated cost of providing one additional guidance counsellor position for schools with over 500 pupils. [26145/22]

Photo of Norma FoleyNorma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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Teacher allocations to all second level schools are approved annually by my Department in accordance with established rules based on recognised pupil enrolment. The criteria for the allocation of posts (including Guidance Counselling) are communicated to school managements annually and are available on the Department website.

My Department has committed considerable resources towards the restoration of guidance counselling hours to post-primary schools, to the provision of CPD for guidance counsellors and to the provision of a national guidance counselling supervision service for post-primary guidance counsellors in recent times.

The guidance allocation is provided separately and transparently on each school's staffing schedule.  These posts have been ring-fenced so they can only be used for guidance activities and to meet the guidance needs of the school. 

As part of the COVID-19 operational supports to schools for the 2021/22 school year, approximately 120 posts were provided for guidance to support student wellbeing. Budget 2022 implemented this change as a permanent adjustment to the allocation of Guidance to schools. These posts bring guidance provision in schools back to the level last seen before the financial crisis in 2012.

Current expenditure on guidance counsellors posts in second level schools stands at €55.2 million.  

There are 371 post primary schools with an enrolment in excess of 500 pupils.  The average cost of a post primary teacher is currently €67,600.

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