IGC response to the ERSI  - The Institute of Guidance Counsellors welcome the findings of the ESRI Report - “Leaving School in Ireland: A Longitudinal Study of Post-School Transitions”

The Institute of Guidance Counsellors also welcomes in particular the fact that “Young people valued the detailed information offered and the personal qualities of the guidance counsellor, highlighting in particular the importance of one-to-one sessions. However, issues were raised by interviewees regarding constraints on time for guidance, particularly for more personalised, one-to-one discussion.”

We also acknowledge the report findings that Guidance Counsellors are a particularly strong source of support for young people from working class backgrounds.

In the light of the report findings which are based on students who had a guidance service while in school, we are alarmed at the implications of this report given that there is no longer any ex-quota allocation for Guidance Counselling hours in Second level schools and colleges of Further Education. Our own Guidance Counselling research audit in January 2014 and the TUI survey on the Nature of Guidance Counselling in April 2014 both showed a 59% loss of 1 to 1 Guidance Counselling in schools.

The loss of Guidance Counselling services particularly, in working class schools where parental contributions and school fees are not available to replace the funding removed for Guidance Counselling by the state have left a disjointed and inequitable access to appropriate guidance for all our students in Second level and colleges of Further Education.

This essential highly valued professional service must be restored based on the evidence of ERSI report published today.

Betty Mc Laughlin, President Institute of Guidance Counsellors

Contact 087 125 8624