Damien English (Meath West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I will respond first to Senator Jim D'arcy's questions.

The issue of training centres is one I had to deal with in the Seanad on my first day in the job. It has moved on a little. The Department and SOLAS have been trying to facilitate negotiations between the ETBs involved with a view to assessing how to apportion either the funding or the places available. I believe a solution will be found in the majority of cases - I hope in all of them - but it is something we are watching. The process is being facilitated. It is a case of some ETBs having to work together. Historically, some of the training centres would have covered the geography but not the decision making. That is an issue which is being examined. We are trying to resolve it on the ground and in most cases it will be resolved, but I am keeping an eye on it, as it has been brought to my attention by a number of people, not all in the same area but in similar ones.