Government to pay for counsellors, social workers, psychologists in Church schools

The government will be paying for the services of counsellors, social workers and psychologists in Church schools, according to reviewed guidelines launched this morning.

The Guidelines to Church Schools' Entitlement of Resources revisits similar guidelines that came into force 10 years ago to outline government funding in Church schools that cater for about 40 per cent of the student population.

The government pays for the bulk of expenses related to the human resources of Church schools. The government forks out about €42 million a year for Church schools that cannot charge fees although they do ask for donations from parents.

Speaking during the signing of the new guidelines, Education Minister Dolores Cristina outlined some main points.

The new document reaffirms previous points that include the fact that Church school teachers and learning support assistants will be entitled to the same benefits and salaries as their state school counterparts.

Ms Crisitna pointed out that the guidelines also stipulate class size limits, staff recruitment and allowances. The minister added that she was glad to see how the new education reforms – that included changes in the transition from primary to secondary schools – where being adapted across the nation.

Three Church school secondary schools – The Archbishop's Seminary, St Augustine's College and St Paul's Missionary College – were expanding their schools to build primary schools. They will benefit from a 15 per cent VAT refund.