Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I do not disagree with the value and importance of the work, as I have said. I think it is a positive that we can say that the high level working group, which is chaired by the Secretary General, underlining the importance that we in the Department place upon it, is looking at a whole variety of opportunities going forward. Among those is the decision that has been taken to sponsor a cohort of third year students for the 2022-2023 academic year by providing a contribution to their fees and associated expenses. Given the particular time pressures for students in the third year of the programme, interviews will be held in the coming months to provide financial support to those students currently on training placements in NEPS who are due to complete their doctoral training programme in 2023. Details will be announced in the coming weeks.

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