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

When the measure was introduced, specific measures were implemented for DEIS schools to protect them, to some extent, from the changes relating to guidance. The idea was that they would get the extra resources to ensure that they protected guidance in their schools. As the Deputy said, we are reviewing DEIS and that is one area we can examine in the review to see what the schools have done to protect guidance.

Also, it should be noted that in the new junior cycle agreement, which has not yet been balloted but which we hope will receive a positive vote in the autumn, there is a new subject called "well-being" which will be studied by all pupils. It will be compulsory. The parameters of that subject are about students having self-esteem and ensuring that students are able to protect themselves from psychological difficulties and so forth. I believe that will contribute to one of the areas that guidance counsellors deal with, which is individual student's concerns. The other area obviously relates to career guidance.

See this speech in context