David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister for the final commitment that he will look at the professional development of staff and the appropriate future staffing framework, which is mentioned in the national education and training strategy. In this particular instance, however, it seems to be missing; it is not there. I would be very grateful if the Minister could come back to me with concrete plans on this. I put it to the Minister that whatever about SOLAS and the ETBs, it is very important that at a national level, from his Department, the policy and strategy are fed down as well as up. I call on the Minister to ensure it happens in this case.

With respect to waiting lists to get into LTIs, does the Minister have information or can he come back to me later to let me know how many young people in particular did not get into LTIs despite wanting to? He spoke earlier about these being demand-driven and I put it to him that more people want to get in there because of the training and opportunities they get to develop themselves and learn.

Is the Minister aware of the Open Doors Initiative? Has he met its representatives or does he have plans to do so?

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