Brendan Ryan (Dublin North, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I wish to raise a matter in respect of section B5 on further education and training activities. Obviously there is a good deal of money, with €226.4 million being spent on this worthwhile area which is basically to get people to attain qualifications through a further education scheme. I have come across many programmes in Balbriggan and Swords where people have celebrated achievement in this area. This great opportunity for people is to be welcomed.

I recently came across a situation involving the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade in which it did not give due recognition for FETAC level 5 or 6 qualifications in its preselection cull on those who should go forward for interview. People with a level 5 FETAC qualification have the equivalent of a leaving certificate, however people have come to my clinic stating there is no recognition for the other courses and qualification they have received since their second level education. They are only getting recognition for the junior certificate or the intermediate certificate they did all those years ago. I am pursuing that matter with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade to see what is going on but it would be extremely unfortunate if there was no due recognition for what they achieved under FETAC.