Jonathan O'Brien (Cork North Central, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

One of the key findings of the report is the level of frustration felt by adult learners regarding the courses they are directed to take. Some felt the courses did not suit their skill sets, were leading nowhere or were not long enough to acquire the skills they needed to enter the workforce.

I welcome the programme of reform being undertaken by the Department of Education and Skills. The Education and Training Boards Bill has the potential to be one of the most reforming items of legislation in this area. For that reason, it is important that a voice be given to community representatives on the education and training boards. This is something we can discuss on Committee Stage of the Bill.

The amount of money allocated to this area is a small part of the overall education budget. I hope the Minister of State shares my analysis that this section of the budget needs to be protected because we are talking about people who are going back to further education in the hope of coming off the unemployment register and securing employment. I hope the Minister will take this into account during the budget deliberations.

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