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

First, NEPS was extended to all mainstream schools in September 2013. The Deputy's point appears to be that there might be issues with the recruitment of staff, but I will revert to the Deputy on that if there are specific issues in that regard. We are also working on reforming the support system for children with special needs, but that will not be introduced this September except on a pilot basis.

To refer to the original point about resourcing, I have indicated that I will examine the options available in the budget when we get whatever budget we are allocated. Obviously, we will fight for the best budget we can get for education. Certainly, guidance is one of the issues that has been raised with me when I have travelled around the country to meet various stakeholder bodies in education and, indeed, the guidance counsellors are well able to make their case as well. The issue is not closed. It is one that, along with a number of other areas, will be examined in the context of available resources at budget time.

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