Mattie McGrath (Tipperary South, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I am appalled and aghast at the change of tack since the members of the Minister of State's party moved from this side to the opposite side of the House. The Government needs to reverse these regressive and unfair cuts as unemployment is at 14.6% and growing, youth unemployment is close to 30% and these people need the opportunities that the further education sector offers so that they can re-enter the labour market. The attacks by the Minister of State and the Government on education are despicible.

My colleague, Deputy Healy-Rae referred to the delivery of SUSI grants. Will the Government have the cop-on and manners at this stage to recognise that it has made a total ham-fisted mess of that situation by putting 60 awarding authorities into one? I want to ask the Minister of State's officials - I do know where they are - who awarded this grant to Dublin City VEC about this. This is an appalling mess and people being driven nearly to distraction with concerns about having to leave college, having no funds and having to get food parcels. The Labour Party, my goodness, has been reduced to this.

I am a strong proponent of lifelong education and am very involved in adult education and encouraging people to return to education, to further enhance and upskill themselves and make themselves better equipped for all the different types of economies that we have to try to fight. The Labour Party is presiding over this disgraceful attack and we remember prior to the election that the Minister, Deputy Quinn, was out there signing a pledge and carrying a placard. The Labour Party should come out of the bunkers, see what is going on, take off the blinkers and ear muffs, listen to the people and empathise with them. The Minister of State can smile but those are the facts. The people are incensed.

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