John Minihan (Progressive Democrats)

He should let us have our say now. It has been estimated, in consultation with management and staff interests, that the recommendations for staffing would involve, at a minimum, the creation of at least 800 new posts at a cost of over €48 million. While this level of additional provision cannot be considered in isolation from other areas of education, I am worried that it is not being properly or adequately considered.

The non-teaching educational tasks particular to PLC teachers, the demands on management and the challenges presented by the variation in size of the more than 200 PLC providers are being examined by officials and the Minister of State expects to receive proposals in this regard shortly. It is intended to table concrete proposals for a discussion on the way forward and I hope this will be set within a specific timeframe. I fully accept that a one-off investment of €48 million presents a problem but we must have achievable and focused targets, delivered within a definite timeframe. I hope that will happen and the process will commence in this year's budget.

The positive engagement of the main partners will be sought in advance of pursuing this agenda, but the pace of progress is exasperating. It took 15 years to recognise that significant resources were needed to support the great and valuable service being delivered to further education and for a report to be commissioned to make appropriate recommendations to support it. In May, when I read of an intention to table concrete proposals for discussion regarding the way forward, I did a double take. As a result, I find myself doing the same regarding my April contribution in the House. I assure Members that it disappoints me as much as anyone.

Further education centres were originally meant to accommodate student populations much smaller than they have become. The funding structure was designed for second level education rather than to meet the needs of today's excellent further education sector. Despite being commissioned by the Department of Education and Science in 2002 to review the further education sector, the McIver report's recommendations remain unimplemented. We are still at the stage of intending to table concrete proposals. Today I appeal for us to move forward in this year's budget.

Meanwhile, the administrative, management, staffing and ancillary support structures for the PLC sector continue to be those designed for second level education. The facilities, the number and size of classrooms, laboratories and work spaces continue to be unfit for the purposes of the PLC sector. The average floor space for further education centres still needs to be doubled. Library resources are inadequate, and there are still too few computers. We also now have additional difficulties with the migrant population and adult language training, which is eating into the sector.

While I have great confidence in our ability to deliver, I am concerned that this sector will fall between two stools and become a Cinderella sector. I appeal to the Minister of State that we must have three years to implement the recommendations, something acceptable to everyone. I congratulate her on her work today and her personal interest in the sector. I know from her announcements regarding her intentions what a fantastic legacy she could have.