Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Budget 2012 introduced perhaps the single most damaging cut to education, that is, the removal of ex quotaguidance counselling provision in second level schools. The Institute of Guidance Counsellors conducted an audit since then and it states that the current practice is "a portrait of inequality". One member of the institute described a wave of self-harm among teenagers that would alarm any parent. Teachers who are expected to teach as well as be guidance counsellors described it as a "bottomless pit" and "fire fighting", saying "you can just do what you can". That is the story in second level schools throughout Ireland since this cut was introduced. I spoke to Senator Joan Freeman, founder of Pieta House, last week and she also told me about the extremely damaging impact of the cut in terms of the mental well-being of young students in second level schools who, until then, had access to guidance counsellors. This week, I met members of Comhairle na nÓg in Cork, the Cork City Comhairle or youth council. They conducted a survey on the absence of career guidance for them and their peers in second level schools. Again, there were very damaging conclusions regarding the absence of career guidance for them.

There has been a 51% reduction in one-to-one counselling supports in secondary schools. The Economic and Social Research Institute, ESRI, carried out a major study on this in the context of a report on the value of guidance counselling. It stated clearly that it has had a devastating impact on working class students in working class schools and that it has embedded disadvantage across our education system. That is the reason I was anxious, in the confidence and supply arrangement with the Government, to ensure that the reintroduction and restoration of ex quota career guidance would be part of that agreement and would be delivered by the Government. I realise there is resistance to this among, perhaps, officials within the Department or other people.

The suggestion that general improvements to the staffing schedule will somehow improve guidance counselling is not a runner, because we need the ex quotaprovision restored. Does the Tánaiste accept that the need to restore ex quotaprovision for second level schools is a very real issue for young people and teachers? Is the Government committed to bringing back ex quotaguidance counselling to our schools?

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