Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I did not get to every question. In response to Deputy Cian O'Callaghan, we are working on apprenticeships. There has been a big change in the new scheme we have introduced.

Deputy Brendan Smith made a very good point on further education. There needs to be more structured co-operation and I am working on that through the shared island initiative. We are endeavouring to get the various education institutions together and we will support partnerships. I would be interested in a further education partnership. Work is under way in terms of third level and research partnerships. Further education partnerships would be something we would look favourably on, in particular in Border areas where there is a lot of co-operation. I accept that needs to be more structured.

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