Mick Wallace (Wexford, Independent)
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162. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills her plans to re-introduce a policy for dedicated guidance counselling services in all secondary schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33951/15]

Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour)
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Since September 2012 at post primary level guidance provision is organised by school management from within the staffing schedule allocation. Guidance is a whole school activity and schools have autonomy on how best to prioritise their available resources to meet the requirements in relation to guidance and the provision of an appropriate range of subjects to students. My Department helped shelter the impact for DEIS post-primary schools by improving their standard staffing allocations so that it is based on a ratio of 18.25:1 compared to the standard 19:1 that applies in non-fee paying schools. I have repeatedly argued that improvements to the staffing and funding of our schools must be a priority as the economic recovery takes hold. The last Budget included an increase in spending on education for the first time in recent years, amounting to additional funding of €60m during 2015.

I have already indicated that I am determined that education should be prioritised for investment as our economy recovers and I will be seeking to agree a set of priorities for such increased investment into the future.