Vol. 487 No. 2
92 Mr. Barrett asked the Minister for Education and Science if he is satisfied with the ratios of guidance and counselling personnel in schools; and the plans, if any, he has to introduce changes in the appointment ratios. [3613/98]
The ex-quota allocation in respect of guideance to individual second level schools in a particular school year is determined by the enrolment at the end of the preceding September. The allocation varies from 0.1 of a post to schools in the free education scheme with less than 100 pupils to two posts in the case of schools with 1,000 or more pupils.
The total allocation in respect of guidance in the current school year is approximately 567 teacher equivalents.
There are many competing demands for increased funding in all sectors of education. These demands are considered within the overall budgetary constraints. The question of increasing the ex-quota allocation in respect of guidance will be considered in the context of available resources.
