Jen Cummins (Dublin South Central, Social Democrats)

It is wonderful to see the amount of money going into all that which the Minister of State outlined. It is much needed. I am concerned, however, for three parts, one of which is capital budgets for buildings. The Minister of State has visited many different places around the country. As she knows, I have worked in education for a very long time, and I have been to see adult education centres, Youthreach programmes and community training centres that are working out of buildings that really need to be retrofitted. They are cold, old and draughty. Capital investment in this area is important to make sure learners, teachers and staff are well supported.

The other thing I am interested in is ring-fencing resources for those organisations. The fantastic courses that are provided in each of these centres need to be accompanied by resources, such as 3D printers, to facilitate upskilling all the time. I am just using that as an example, but it is about ring-fencing resources in particular. I will come back in on pay and conditions.

See this speech in context