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

I have been contacted by tutors and by students who want to undertake these courses, and the tutors were given very little notice. They were contacted within days of when they assumed they were going to start delivering their classes. One tutor who delivers up to six art classes a week suddenly has no classes. She depends on that funding; it is her job. Students who have been in contact have said they may take on classes as a pastime but for many, it is progression to a different trade or job. Many others are learning English in order that they can work in this country.

I spoke to the Minister, Deputy O'Donovan, about this a few weeks ago. He said he was aware of it and was making efforts to resolve the issue, which affects a number of ETBs including that for Cavan and Monaghan, but the Minister of State is now saying the Government has no responsibility. We are hearing different things. The Minister was supposed to give me a progress report but, of course, I have not heard anything from him since then. I would like an update on this. It has to be dealt with. We cannot leave people, both tutors and students, without classes indefinitely.

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