Marian Harkin (Sligo-Leitrim, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I am really pleased with the Minister's response. He is taking a regional perspective, which is absolutely essential for the development of the region and of course, for my own particular issue of concern, namely balanced regional development.

My second question relates to a specific query from a constituent who is doing a bachelor of arts degree in social care in NUIG. As part of this course, students have to complete 800 hours of unpaid placement work over four years. As the Minister can imagine, that was especially difficult last year and is practically impossible this year. I am not expecting an immediate response from the Minister but I ask that consideration be given to stretching out the 800 hours over the remaining years of the course for each student or to cutting back on the total number of hours. Will the Minister liaise with CORU on this?

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