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

I thank the Minister for his reply. Deputy O'Sullivan outlined the impact of the guidance counsellor cuts in terms of the promotion of mental health. Another key role of the guidance counsellor is career guidance. The survey carried out by the Institute of Guidance Counsellors indicates that one-to-one time has dropped to 41% of what it was prior to the cuts, which is having a real impact. At third level, 9% of first year honours students do not progress to second year. The percentage in this regard in the institute of technology area is 16%. Guidance counsellors are important in the context of the assistance they can provide in this regard.

The Minister did not respond adequately to my question, which relates to the use of the facility database in the Department of Education and Skills. His response was that he does not intend to require schools to make any more detailed returns than they already do.

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