LISTEN BACK: More Guidance hours for schools to meet students' needs

A Monaghan Senator has called for guidance counselling hours to be 'ringfenced' in secondary schools. His calls comes as teaching unions across the country highlight the impact that recruitment and retention of staff is having on school communities.

Meanwhile, Senator Robbie Gallagher, says the hours must be ringfenced because access to the service is not equal and students are therefore losing out. He says that the needs of students are increasing and their mental health must take priority.