Timmy Dooley (Clare, Fianna Fail)

I welcome the opportunity to contribute to this important debate. I compliment those who have been in contact with me and other Members in an effort to highlight the difficulties that will arise from the significant cuts set out.

I condemn the actions taken by the Government which has sought to undermine the provision of guidance counselling in over 700 schools, losing up to 1,000 teachers. As a teacher Deputy Mitchell O'Connor would perhaps have more understanding of this area than me. She sought to suggest that 42% of schools would not be affected. My understanding is that is not true. While 42% of schools may not have a full allocation of a teacher, they have an allocation of hours graduated based on the number of students. The Minister has not indicated that schools that do not have a full allocation of a teacher will be treated differently and will not be subject to the same cuts on a per-hour basis.

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