Richard Bruton
Question:3 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of additional guidance counsellors, remedial teachers and other teachers which he is providing at second level in the current school year 1998 to 1999.
Ceisteanna — Questions. Priority Questions. - School Staffing.
The guidance and remedial allocations to second level schools have remained constant since 1995. Currently there are 350 remedial and 567 guidance posts within the second level system.
In the school year 1997-8 enrolments stood at 368,400 and teacher numbers for that year were 23,558. In the current year projected enrolments indicate a reduction of about 4,000. Teacher numbers in the current year are broadly in line with those for 1997-8. In summary, therefore, the pupil-teacher ratio which stood at 15.64 in 1997-8 is anticipated to reduce further in the current school year.
The issue of additional resources for the second level sector is one the Minister for Education and Science will discuss with the Minister for Finance in the context of this year's Estimates.
Does the Minister of State agree that, in short, the answer to the question is none? He allocated no guidance counsellors, remedial teachers or other teachers to second level. Does he recall that Fianna Fáil's election manifesto, which is perhaps a work of fiction at this stage, made an explicit commitment that in Government it would appoint a certain quota of remedial and guidance teachers at second level? Where now stands that commitment and why was it not delivered on in the first year in Government when there was an opportunity to do so?
I said in my reply there have been no extra allocations for the second level sector in respect of guidance counsellors or remedial teachers since 1995. Therefore, what we have been guilty of in the first year in office, the previous Government was guilty of in its last year in office.
The Deputy rightly suggests we had a very detailed manifesto — I am glad he is very familiar with its terms. An election manifesto cannot be fulfilled in the first year.
The Government has done nothing, not a whit.
The Government will be in office for five years. Considerable progress has already been made in other areas of the education system. I assure Deputy Bruton that every single part of the manifesto will be honoured and more will be done by the end of the Government's five year term.
As I said in my initial reply, the Minister for Education and Science is conscious of the need for extra remedial and guidance posts at second level. This is why he is negotiating strongly for the necessary funding to provide such posts.
Does the Minister of State agree he and the Government should be judged by their actions? Does the Government's decision to allocate not a single teacher to second level this year mean it is happy with a situation where only 3 per cent of pupils receive remedial teaching at second level and where 40 per cent of schools have no remedial teachers at second level? Does he believe the allocation of one guidance counsellor to 500 students is sufficient? If not, why has he made no provision whatsoever this year to implement the commitments which were solemnly made?
I agree that we must be judged by our actions over the lifetime of the Government. I was asked if I and the Minister were happy with the current ratio of remedial teachers and guidance counsellors at second level. The answer is we are not.
Why has the Government not done something about it?
We want more remedial teachers and guidance counsellors and we are doing something about it by looking for extra funding to provide extra posts. I am confident——
This was supposed to be a Government commitment.
Where does it say the commitment would be met in the first year? No Government fulfils its entire manifesto in the first year. I know Deputy Bruton has a job to do in Opposition——
It is alarming. The Minister described the situation as alarming.
There is an alarming situation at second level which is the legacy of the last Government of which the Deputy was a member. I know Deputy Bruton has a difficult job to do in Opposition as he is up against the most formidable Minister for Education and Science in the history of the State. I do not envy the Deputy, but he has a job to do.
I ask the Chair if we can have some control over this type of self-indulgence?
The Chair has no control over the Minister's reply. The Minister should be allowed reply.
Mr. Hayes
Failed political ambition.
This is "Angela's Ashes" gone mad.
Forget about "Angela's Ashes", I will debate it another time with the Deputy. I do not want to waste the Opposition's time during Question Time debating works of literature.
The Deputy asked about the extent of my happiness in terms of remedial and guidance counsellors at second level. We are most unhappy with the situation and are determined to rectify it, something we will do.