Derek Nolan (Galway West, Labour) | Oireachtas source

We will make pre-budget submissions both to the Minister and the finance committee and close the petition. Is that agreed? Agreed.

The next petition for consideration is P00078/12 from Mr. Pat Brady on the closure of carpentry and joinery classes at the Institute of Technology Blanchardstown. The carpentry and joinery apprenticeship classes at the institute have been closed as part of a rationalisation of apprenticeship provision in the education sector following the downturn in the construction sector. The petitioner is of the opinion that although the facilities in the institute are among the best in Europe, they have been unfairly targeted for closure. He points to the reopening of courses in centres such as Carlow, even though the facilities in such centres are not as good. He is of the view that the Institute of Technology Blanchardstown has been omitted owing to cronyism. Are there submissions in this regard?