Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I do not have the detail of everything associated with this. The Deputy referred to the issue of patients being treated. A total of 67,206 discretionary medical cards were issued to people who have particular hardship or because of the nature of the illness being treated. A total of 450 new primary teacher positions were approved as well as 450 post-primary teacher positions. Earlier today, the Minister for Education and Skills, Deputy Ruairí Quinn, and the Minister of State at the Department of Education and Skills, Deputy Ciarán Cannon, announced the provision of 6,000 extra post-primary places for persons who are long-term unemployed with a view to giving them the opportunity to get back into the world of work, where the majority of them wish to be. I am sure the 6,000 extra places will be of interest to colleges of further education.

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