John Halligan (Waterford, Independent) | Oireachtas source

If I were to be quite frank with the Deputy, I would say that the area is probably not as well served as other areas in the context of the capital budget. There has been huge investment in schools there. The demand on the budget is significant. The vocational education opportunities scheme, VTOS, was previously on offer to Riversdale community college but due to a decline in demand, believe it or not, it was not possible to form a VTOS class this year or last year so it was not continued. That was in 2016 and 2017. In Dublin, within commuting distance - and the Deputy knows this so I probably do not need to tell her - there are the Liberties, Dublin 11, Dublin 10, Dublin 4, Ballsbridge and Inchicore. SOLAS, which is responsible for the ESRI evaluation, makes recommendations on the geographic distribution of planning and organisational provision and better alignment between supply and demand, and the distribution of post-leaving certificate places between the ETBs will be reviewed in the context of the data, skill needs and employment availability overall.

I spoke to the Deputy a few weeks ago, and I reiterate my view that the area is probably not as well served as others. There is no point in saying something I do not believe. Assessments have found that people within the area are willing to travel to areas where it is provided. An evaluation is being carried out by SOLAS.

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