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The following provides a comprehensive overview of guidance in Ireland. The information sheet begins with an overview of the provision of guidance services in Ireland outlining recent developments in the area. Each guidance service is then described in tabular format with information on the activities of guidance clients, administrative control, and training and qualifications of practitioners in each setting. The training of practitioners is then outlined. The Information Sheet concludes with a useful addresses section. 

Overview

Guidance services are education and labour market based, located within educational institutions and in local employment centres. Within educational settings guidance services are based in post-primary schools, higher and further education institutions and through second chance education programmes e.g. YOUTHREACH. In the labour market sector FÁS, the training and employment authority, is statutorily responsible for the provision of guidance services. Guidance services are offered through local employment centres which offer services to the unemployed/jobseekers, persons with disabilities and asylum seekers around the country. 

PROVISION AND CURRENT DEVELOPMENTS

EDUCATION

Primary – there is no formal guidance provision in primary school level, however there are elements of guidance in the primary school curriculum e.g. substance abuse programme, stay safe programme. In some schools support teachers are available to support the needs of children with social, emotional and behavioural difficulties.

Post-primary – guidance is a universal entitlement as per the Education Act, 1998. Each school is granted an additional teaching resource to assist it with its guidance provision, ranging from approximately eight hours per week in small schools (<250 students), to approximately two full-time posts in schools >1000 students. Guidance also forms part of the curriculum in senior cycle through the Transition Year Programme (TYP), Leaving Certificate Applied (LCA) and Leaving Certificate Vocational Programme (LCVP). 103 schools benefited under the Guidance Enhancement Initiative, 2001. Under the Initiative schools submitted proposals for additional staffing resources for guidance purposes. Proposals that established links with the local and business community, promoted the uptake of science at senior cycle, and focused on disadvantage were given priority.

YOUTHREACH – at present there is a pilot measure for guidance, counselling and psychological services for early school leavers in YOUTHREACH. The provision of hours ranges from 2.5 hours to 3 hours per week for a group of 26 young people. Some YOUTHREACH staff members have been trained in non-formal guidance skills under the EU Employment Initiative.

Further education – The guidance and counselling provision in this sector is within the VEC system and in community education settings. The guidance allocation to VECs is the same as for post-primary schools. In addition information regarding Post Leaving Certificate (PLC) courses is provided to students by the course tutor. Information is provided to participants on community education programmes through the course tutor /co-ordinator also. 

Third level – All Universities and Institutes of Technology (IoTs) have career and counselling services available to students. Career services are based in Career Advisory/and Appointments Offices, and counselling services are offered through the student counselling service. 

Adult education – Educational guidance services are being developed at present with the start in 2000 of eleven projects. This provision has since been expanded to 25. The services prioritize participants in VTOS, literacy and community education programmes. This Initiative will be mainstreamed in the future.

Youth Information Centres – There are over 30 Youth Information Centres (YICs) nationwide managed by a variety of youth organisations. YICs offer an information service on a wide number of issues including employment matters, local community services and education and training to young people. 

LABOUR MARKET

The National Training and Employment Authority in Ireland is FÁS and is divided into 8 regions comprising 20 Training Centres and 62 Employment Offices. Vocational guidance and counselling is provided as a basic universal entitlement for clients of FAS who include:

Unemployed/jobseekers – priority is given to the long-term unemployed. Each jobseeker receives intensive guidance.

Persons with disabilities – FAS now has responsibility to provide labour market services for people with disabilities. 

Asylum seekers – An Asylum Seekers Unit has been set up by FAS to assist those eligible to work. Information provided includes information on obtaining a permit to stay in Ireland and information on employment opportunities.

Early school leavers – Early school leavers are assisted through training, education and work experience. 

Career guidance provided by Employment Service Officers includes:

· Individual interviews
· ICT – career information databases
· Telephone information
· Psychological Testing
· Workplace experience

Recent initiatives include the establishment of a National Internet based vacancy taking call centre CALLNET, the development of a multimedia careers package - Career Directions.