Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

It sounds logical that people training in those areas would, if they wished, participate and try to help out in what is an extraordinarily successful programme but one that needs the changes and improvements the Chair is referencing. Obviously, it is a policy decision for the Department of Education, given that it is that Department's programme, but we will engage with the Department on any way we can assist. If the Department of Education decided it wished them to take part, I imagine it would be a matter for individual students, but many students would feel they would benefit greatly from participating in such a project. We will seek the Department of Education's views on the matter, but this is ultimately a policy decision for that Department.