Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)

I move amendment No. 1:

To delete all words after "Dáil Éireann" and substitute the following:

"— acknowledges that:

— despite the severe economic crisis caused by the actions of previous Fianna Fáil-led Governments, and in the expectation that an additional 70,000 students will enter the education system over the next six years, the Government has ensured that the reduction in teacher numbers will be less than in other areas of the public sector over the coming years;

— guidance provision will be managed in future by schools from within their standard staffing allocation so that schools will have discretion to balance guidance needs with the pressures to provide subject choice;

— notes that this change is in line with the Programme for Government commitment to give greater freedom and autonomy to school principals and boards of management, including greater freedom to allocate resources and manage staff;

— recognises that all teachers, not just guidance counsellors, have a duty of care to their students and that school management and teachers have a long and proud tradition of working together to meet the needs of students, including any necessary supports for vulnerable or 'at risk' students;

— acknowledges that, while changes are being made to the way in which guidance counsellors will be allocated in future, all post-primary schools will still be required to provide guidance support for their students in accordance with the Education Act 1998;

— notes that guidance is a whole school activity;

and welcomes:

— the Government's commitment in Budget 2012 for the filling of 300 assistant principal posts of responsibility in second-level schools and notes that this will ensure significant management supports, particularly for more

appointments to the key role of year heads;

— the very constructive and positive work being done by the National Association of Principals and Deputy Principals with all post-primary schools to ensure they are aware of their continuing responsibility to provide

guidance counselling services; and

— the intention of the Department of Education and Skills to issue a circular in the coming weeks in order to provide further clarification for schools on the changes to guidance counselling provision announced in the recent Budget."

With the agreement of the House, I wish to share time with Deputies Patrick O'Donovan and Aodhán Ó Ríordáin.

See this speech in context