Ruairí Ó Murchú (Louth, Sinn Fein)

We are in an unstable world, whether we are talking about tariffs or the impact of AI will have that includes many positives that will need to be utilised, although we also know there are dangers in the short term for employment in specific spheres. On that basis we need to make sure we have our act together. I refer to the Regional Development Centre that operates out of DkIT in Dundalk. We need support for these operations that carry out the necessary research in the college setting and combine that with a company and business focus. There have been real wins from the point of view of medtech, sports science and others. These are the sorts of things we need to see. I recently mentioned the Advanced Manufacturing Training Centre of Excellence. Again, this is the LMETB to the fore, answering the questions industry has. I refer to the robotics apprenticeship, and I agree we need to have multiple pathways. A piece of work needs to be done by the Minister to make sure that is put into play. I make a call about the college of the future required in Dundalk.

Beyond that, while there are many things we have spoken about, I bring up the issue of those with disability in a college setting, particularly those PAs who do work in the ETBs. I am talking about O'Fiach, DIFE and beyond. They have requested a meeting with the Minister and that must be followed through. There are issues in regard to the WRC, which was awaiting the review by the Minister's Department of PAs for those with disabilities.

Obviously, it is about ensuring that they have a contract that works for them and also that we provide the service for those with disabilities and that we maintain them within the further and higher education setting.

See this speech in context