Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)

The local VEC plans to build a new senior college in Blackrock but funding has been pulled by the Department of Education and Science. The VEC has concluded an arrangement with Dún Laoghaoire-Rathdown County Council for funding of the scheme. All that is needed is the approval of the Department. If the Government could see its way to invest the same confidence in the principal and the board of management of the school in Clonakilty that it has invested in overpaid bank executives, some of the schools building programme could proceed without additional cost to the taxpayer, thereby providing schools that are needed and employment for construction workers while addressing the educational and skills needs required long term to move the economy forward.

The problem is the Government is too short-sighted in what it is doing about employment. This is a major issue because it is the people end of what is happening to the economy and it is a matter of deep regret that the Government is not taking it with more seriousness and urgency.

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