Tuesday, October 28, 2014

Funding Cuts put Student Counselling Service at Unprecedented Risk = Sinéad Baker, University Times

Speaking to The University Times, Deirdre Flynn, director of the counselling service, confirmed that the situation with regard to budget cuts was not “fully clear”, saying: “I understand that there will be reductions on all budgets across the College. As the exact budget cuts have not yet been confirmed, I don’t yet know what the impact on service levels will be”. She further confirmed that: “I can assure you that the Service will do the best it can within its resources to find ways of responding to students’ needs”. These fears come at a time when the counselling service is being used more than ever before. Due to these increased numbers, and the potential staff shortages that could result from vacancies, resignations, illness and maternity leave, and which “threaten service quality”, over fifty students waited longer than three weeks for an initial appointment with Student Learning Development (SLD).According to the report, the counselling service has also lost its full-time co-ordinator which has resulted in a decrease in workshop service provision. http://www.universitytimes.ie/?p=30261