The provision of guidance in adult and continuing education in Ireland was examined. First, policy in Ireland regarding guidance for adults in education is discussed in the context of the proposals adopted by the European Union (EU) Commission and EU Member States pursuant to the EU Year of Lifelong Learning in 1996. Recent literature on career guidance for adults is reviewed, and the concepts and theories that render the guidance needs of adult students different from those of younger students are highlighted. Then, the development of adult guidance policy in the United Kingdom is traced, and recent related initiatives in Scotland are briefly described. Presented next are the findings of a research study that was conducted by the Dublin Institute of Technology's College of Marketing and Design to identify the current and future guidance needs of adults in schools and third-level colleges. It is concluded that the focus of guidance for Irish adults must be shifted to a lifetime perspective and that a national vision of adult educational guidance must be developed that includes linkages with noneducation-based guidance services (local employment services, unemployment resource centers, and area-based partnership initiatives). (Contains 41 references.) (MN)