Michael Conaghan (Dublin South Central, Labour)

The VECs have made further education a reality in this country for all social classes, and that has been a resounding success. Supports like those we are talking about is a vital ingredient in making and keeping it accessible. I believe that arrangements must be made. I have spoken to some potential partners already about this, and the Minister of State can turn those arrangements into a reality by engaging with people who are already sitting down to find a way of ensuring the high participation levels among students in all social classes going to colleges of further education will continue. We must ensure that they continue, and I look to the Minister of State for that to happen.

See this speech in context