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

Does the Minister of State agree that it is fantastic that people coming from, as he described them, "economically, socially, geographically and educationally disadvantaged" areas can benefit from these LTIs and that more than 2,000 people are benefiting? Will he confirm whether there are people on waiting lists because the LTIs cannot meet the level of need? Does he agree that the people who are providing these courses are skilled, and have to be in order to be successful, but that they are at a disadvantage because they do not have permanent contracts? Will he confirm whether he will examine this matter? I do not agree that LTIs should be temporary rather than permanent. They should be permanent. Will the Minister of State examine this matter and make these LTIs permanent so that people from the backgrounds he described can benefit from them in greater numbers? Will he focus on this for his remaining period in office?

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