Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Deputy's comments and acknowledge her personal experience in this area. I do not intend to return to the ex-quota system. I would like to see additional resources become available in order that we could increase the staffing allocation generally, but it is for the school leadership and principals of schools to decide how best to deploy those resources, although I believe I am at variance with some of the people in the Institute of Guidance Counsellors here in this regard.

The Deputy referred to teachers with a basic secondary qualification upskilling to become guidance counsellors. There is evidence - largely anecdotal but we will soon have statistics in this regard - of massive investment in CPD by teachers across a whole spectrum of areas, of which counselling and guidance is but one. I would like to see that recognised in the first instance. Hopefully the registrar of the Teaching Council will be able to do this so that we will not have to undertake the type of statistical exercise mentioned by the Deputy. It is important we ensure best use of that skill set in our schools.

I accept that as a result of cuts introduced in various budgets dating back as far as 2009, middle management has been hollowed out and this needs to be restored as soon as possible. I intend to do that.

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