Pauline Tully (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

The Minister of State mentioned graduates. Have the numbers entering these professions in college increased and have they increased dramatically? Are we seeing an increase in the number of people graduating and staying in Ireland to work?

The Minister of State mentioned the apprenticeship model, which is an excellent model as well. Are we seeing a lot more people taking up these courses or is it proving difficult to get people into them? Some people have said that the points' requirement can be extremely high. Many people would be interesting in doing courses in the likes of occupational therapy but the points requirement in the leaving certificate is too high.

Every week I deal with families who are being really messed around. Families have been referred from primary care to the CDNT and then on to CAMHS. They do not know where they are going. Even the ones who are with the CDNT are not getting services. I am constantly sending emails but I do not even get responses anymore. One mother who got in contact with me has a child with epilepsy so it is not like she requires an assessment of need. She needs supports because she is starting school and the school needs to know what it has to do. The mother cannot get a reply from the CDNT.

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