Diarmuid Wilson (Fianna Fail)

I join with Senator Quinn and Senator Walsh in calling on the Ministers for Education and Science and Arts, Sport and Tourism to re-examine the situation in regard to the Fáilte Ireland courses that have been switched to institutes of technology and for which the leaving certificate applied does not meet the minimum entry requirements. This is an outrage and it should be reviewed immediately.

As Senator Quinn said, thousands of people in Ireland have availed of the leaving certificate applied qualification. That qualification has enabled them to join the Garda and the Army and to participate in courses which would not have been possible without that qualification. That qualification suits people, particularly those heading into the catering schools and colleges throughout the country. I ask the Ministers for Education and Science and Arts, Sport and Tourism to review the reason such courses have to take place in institutes of technology. There are hundreds of schools and colleges which are quite capable of conducting these courses. That situation should be looked at. As Senator O'Reilly will be aware, a world famous chef who operates in the western part of the county from which I come, was not admitted to a CERT course a number of years ago and had to go to Fermanagh college to do a course. That speaks for itself. I call on the Minister to review the position in regard to the Fáilte Ireland course.