Barry Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

This time last year, the Minister for Education and Skills made many commitments and promises to the electorate, including a commitment that there would not be an increase in third level fees or in the pupil-teacher ratio and that there would not be a reduction in the number of SNAs. He did this in the full knowledge of the country's finances and the gap between income and expenditure. He campaigned in the election on the basis of there being an easier or softer way to close the deficit. However, since assuming office, the U-turns in education make those in health and social protection seem minuscule. Such U-turns include an increase in third level fees; an increase in the pupil-teacher ratio in a sneaky, indirect way where principals and boards of management have no alternative; reductions in the number of SNAs; reductions in the back to school and back to education allowances and student grants; increases in school transport fees for families; a reduction in the capitation grant; and, last week, cuts to top-ups for DEIS schools, thus increasing severe reductions in teacher numbers.

Since the budget, when challenged, questioned and enlightened as to the errors of the Government's way, these cuts have been subject to what the Taoiseach terms "pauses", where he resembles Bambi the deer being caught in the headlights. This is followed by consultation with backbenchers and the huddles referred to by Deputy Dooley where the prospect of well won seats becoming marginal seats leads to the next phase in this charade, which is reviews. Reviews are under way into the cutbacks in disability payments to young people, community employment schemes and DEIS schools. Nothing has been reversed.

The Minister might have said he is out of practice and that he made mistakes in the budget. He should not feel sorry for himself because he is not alone. It is time for another Bambi moment and for him to realise that removing the special provision for guidance counsellors at second level is a bad mistake. This will lead to an increase in class sizes through the back door and will result in 700 secondary schools losing guidance counsellors. No mistake should be made about this; this is a cut to teacher numbers, which will lead to an increase in class sizes. It means schools will be forced to choose between either cutting their guidance counselling service or dropping another subject, leading to a reduced subject choice. It is a lose-lose situation all around.

Guidance counsellors, as has been said by many speakers, provide a critical service in encouraging students to choose appropriate education and career pathways and offer advice and support relating to a range of personal issues. They are professionally trained to provide more than career advice, with most of them acting as a support to vulnerable students. I urge the Minister to do the right thing and to acknowledge that this is another particularly damaging mistake that must be reversed. Government Members have the opportunity to stand up for their local schools, class sizes and, more important, for the right of students in their constituencies to be allowed to realise their full potential, which is paramount to the country getting back on its feet and realising its potential.

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