Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)

I concur with the Deputy. However, such provision is being made in some cases. For example, the Department recently secured sanction to increase the number of teachers in agricultural colleges to respond to the problem arising from increased student numbers. While the case before us should not have arisen, Ireland does not have many master mariners, specifically those who could fill the post in question or would like to join the public sector. The position requires a specific skill set and only a relatively small number of people want to do the skippers course. While we are resolving the problem in the short term, I accept the need for a longer term solution.

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