Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 9 Jun 1993

Vol. 432 No. 1

Written Answers. - Leaving Certificate Statistics.

Frank Crowley

Question:

19 Mr. Crowley asked the Minister for Education the number of post-primary school students who will sit the Leaving Certificate in 1993; the number who have had access to the services of ex-quota career counsellors in their schools; the number of schools which do not have ex-quota career counsellors; and if she will make a statement on the matter.

Pádraic McCormack

Question:

43 Mr. McCormack asked the Minister for Education the number of post-primary school students who will sit the Leaving Certificate in 1993; the number who have had access to the services of ex-quota career counsellors in their schools; the number of schools which do not have ex-quota career counsellors; and if she will make a statement on the matter.

Jim Higgins

Question:

47 Mr. J. Higgins asked the Minister for Education the number of post-primary school students who will sit the Leaving Certificate in 1993; the number who have had access to the services of ex-quota career counsellors in their schools; the number of schools which do not have ex-quota career counsellors; and if she will make a statement on the matter.

Godfrey Timmins

Question:

49 Mr. Timmins asked the Minister for Education the number of post-primary school students who will sit the Leaving Certificate in 1993; the number who have had access to the services of ex-quota career counsellors in their schools; the number of schools which do not have ex-quota career counsellors; and if she will make a statement on the matter.

Minister for Education (Ms Bhreathnach)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 19, 43, 47 and 49 together.

1. There are 63,235 candidates entered to take the Leaving Certificate this year of whom 58,314 are school candidates and 4,921 are external candidates.

2. It is estimated that 41,000 of the 58,314 school pupils sitting the Leaving Certificate to-day had access to an ex-quota career guidance teacher.

3. Three hundred and ninety schools out of a total of 784 schools do not at present have an ex-quota career guidance teacher. However I am pleased to inform the Deputy that the situation will improve over the next two years with the full implementation of the provisions of the Programmes for Economic and Social Progress in relation to guidance counselling.

There are a further 103 schools in the 350-499 enrolment category, with total enrolments of 40,873 pupils, which will be allocated 0.5 of a wholetime post for guidance over the next two years.

In addition to this allocation, 0.5 of a whole-time post is being allocated to VECs on a scheme basis in respect of schools with enrolments of less than 350 over the next two years. Therefore all pupils attending VEC schools will have access to career guidance.