Carol Nolan (Offaly, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I welcome Mr. Horgan here today. Access has been a huge problem and it was identified in the Cassells report that lower socioeconomic groups are not taking up education. Adult learning is also an issue. Mr. Horgan went into education as an adult in later life. Could he indicate what approaches are needed? The Government has a strategy in place and it has acknowledged that there is a problem and that is good but we need action. What action does Mr. Horgan consider necessary?

Educational funding is essential. Politicians are aware that it is needed and that we cannot continue without it. Have there been cuts to educational research over the years and has that had a detrimental effect? What kind of funding would be needed to bring it up to the required level?