Alan Farrell (Dublin Fingal, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

When I think back to my days at Waterford Institute of Technology, I shudder to think that there was probably less than €100 in some of the funds. It is a long time ago. I recognise the steps the Department has taken to support students, particularly over Covid, during which technological supports have been offered. That is to be welcomed.

My two other questions relate to parliamentary questions I submitted this week. They are specific to critical skills. The Minister, Deputy Harris, answered the questions. I was not aware that the Minister would not be present today so I apologise if I am putting the Minister of State on the spot. The critical skills in education right now, beyond those of teachers and special needs assistants, entail offering additional supports to children with additional needs, including occupational therapy, speech and language therapy and clinical psychological services. The response I received from the Department this week was that there are 244 places available per annum for those three areas on an ongoing basis. There is a chronic shortage, particularly at clinical psychology and occupational therapy levels. To my mind, these involve critical skills.

I was talking to the Minister of State, Deputy Madigan, before and during the meeting this afternoon on the supports the State provides to children with additional needs.

If ever there was a critical skills shortage, it is in the number of places that are available across the State for those areas. I cannot think of a school that has not been in touch with me in my 18 years of public life that does not have one of those critical skills deficiencies, either at a school or community level. To put it mildly, the waiting lists are very difficult. When put in the context of a child with additional needs, it is almost impossible outside of the school sphere for parents to get access to supports they desperately need in a timely way. I understand that the CAO is a separate entity and that the HEA sets up these courses. I recognise that some of the courses are at doctoral level, as the Minister of State indicated in response to my questions on Tuesday. I totally understand that, but the Department has a role to play in ensuring we can meet the critical skills deficiency in that area.

The other part of the question relates to a topical issue in the further and higher education area, which is retrofitting and the skills required in that regard. The Government has put in place an €8 billion nine-year programme, which I am sure will be added to over the years and will most likely continue past 2030. The Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications has stated the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science plays a key role in ensuring that places are provided. It was indicated to me that courses range from a few hours to a few weeks, while others are for a few months. They will provide people with the skills to allow us to deliver on our climate commitments. Does the Minister of State have a comment in that regard? I have one final question after his response.