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

As the Department already provided some funding to the students when the EU globalisation fund ran out, the Minister is well aware of the success and merits of the particular programme. All but one of the students who took part in the programme has gone on to employment or further education. He is also aware that All Hallows is involved in a consultation period currently, mostly concerned with restructuring of the college and possibly its closure. I understand the college has guaranteed at least one more academic year and hopes to wind down by 2017.

In view of the success of the ALBA programme, which is now being wound up, is any dialogue involving the Department, All Hallows and DCU going to take place in order to save it? As the Minister of State outlined, the programme is geared towards people who have in some cases been out of formal education for up to 30 years. The success of the programme is evident. I wonder if it is planned to enter dialogue in the interests of replicating the programme or allowing it to continue, either in DCU or in some other institution.

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