Michael Murphy (Tipperary South, Fine Gael)

I also welcome our wonderful visitors from Tipperary. The decision by the ETB to cut vital local training initiative programmes across Tipperary should be urgently reversed given the critical role played by these programmes in our communities. I refer in particular to those delivered at the Spafield Family Resource Centre in Cashel, the Knockanrawley Resource Centre in Tipperary Town, the Littleton community programme and the Cahir Development Association. These programmes are not just training schemes, they represent essential educational pathways for early school leavers and those that have been long-term unemployed. They offer a second chance and provide support, structure and opportunity where it is most needed. While I recognise the financial pressure the ETB is currently under, I am deeply concerned about the impact of these cuts on the most vulnerable in our society. I appeal to the ETB to urgently review this decision and I appeal to the Taoiseach personally to intervene in this matter.

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