Thomas Byrne (Meath East, Fianna Fail)
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60. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to restore the ex-quota provision of guidance counselling to secondary schools; his views on the benefits to pupils of ex-quota guidance, including advice and direction on third-level options and career, but also importantly, the necessity of ex-quota guidance in view of the serious issues of youth mental health; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28288/16]

Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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The Action Plan for Education 2016-2019 has a specific action to enhance guidance counselling at second-level as resources permit.

A significant move was made last month with the restoration of half of the cut in provision for guidance counselling. This was the equivalent to the restoration of 300 posts.

The delivery of the 50% restoration through a change in the staffing schedule allows each school to determine how best to allocate the additional resources to meet the guidance needs of the school. The circular issued earlier this year by my Department outlining the allocation of teaching resources clearly stated that this additional resource is to complement existing resources in order to best meet the guidance needs of the school in line with the school's guidance plan.

I favour having a separate and transparent allocation for guidance.

I hope to build on the present increase in provision for guidance, but this will have to be considered each year in a budgetary context.

I am also reviewing other areas of policy that can assist schools in having a series of initiatives to support the resilience of students.