Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour) | Oireachtas source

The decisions made in recent years were not easy. Sometimes it was a case of deciding whether to reduce the overall allocation to schools or take specific measures. Schools are required under the Education Act to use available resources to ensure students have access to appropriate guidance to assist them in their educational and career choices. We have not removed the obligation on schools to provide guidance in this way. This obligation exists. As the economy improves, and it is improving, I will examine a range of areas where I believe we can begin to approve resources for schools. The most recent budget included the first increase in funding for education for many years and we will be working to ensure this continues. Resourcing schools is of particular importance, and I am conscious schools are having difficulty with the general resources they have at their disposal. It is something I want to address when we have more money in the economy.

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