Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

What is exciting about what the Minister, Deputy Quinn, and the Minister of State, Deputy Cannon, are doing is that they are providing not only the courses, but the connections to employers. For instance, the Momentum initiative is a really good initiative. That provides 6,500 places for persons who will have a placement in an education setting but also a matching placement period in a workplace. That is the sort of new thinking that is coming now from the Department of Education and Skills which will join the dots bringing enterprise and the education system closer together. We have learned from countries such as Germany that it is only when those links are forged that one will get quality skill that really is of benefit to people.

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