Charlie McConalogue (Donegal North East, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister. This question follows on from the previous one and is closely related to it. Various surveys which have been published indicate a drop in guidance hours, including one by the Institute of Guidance Counsellors which indicated a 21% drop. The Minister provided details of a survey the Department did, which showed a 25% cut in guidance hours. The survey from the Institute of Guidance Counsellors showed a real hit as a result of the policy on one to one time, which has decreased by 50% since last year. The Minister's previous response, in which he stated he did not think resourcing guidance counselling was the best way to approach the issue, is a sad comment on the value he puts on guidance counselling in schools. It is something which was built up over years. We have people in schools who are well trained, but the Minister's approach, as the figures show, is leading to a drain on these hours and people who are qualified at counselling have to go back to the classroom. Will the Minister comment on where he sees the role of guidance counselling? If he really values it he must reassess his policy and the position he is taking on it.

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