Kathryn Reilly (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I join colleagues in welcoming the Minister of State to the Seanad for this important debate on the future of further education and training. We all know that investment in education and training is vital for the economy and society. It is even more important during a time of recession to address people's skills deficits and to improve their employability so as to empower them to move from forms of employment, such as construction, into new areas of job growth. This must be our priority. We need to ensure that every cent of additional money provided to us by external sources, such as the EU, is used for its intended purpose of ensuring that additional benefit is brought to those in need of support.

Some Senators mentioned earlier that they had concerns and I share their concern regarding the reduction of overall expenditure for the further education sector and the difficulties that have been experienced as a result.

Although the CE scheme does not fall under the Minister of State's portfolio, it should be noted that it provides a vital bridge for many people, especially those in areas of high unemployment and social disadvantage. While there was a partial reversal of the cuts made in budget 2012, the net reduction in expenditure has created real problems. The same can be said for the PLC courses. A cut of ¤13.2 million was announced for the VEC sector. The increase in the pupil?teacher ratio from 17:1 to 19:1 not only affects teaching jobs but also the training provided. It is a cut that is impossible to justify. It does not acknowledge that the education system is not a one-size-fits-all system. The courses in question provide an important educational platform for those who want to advance to university or institutes of technology.

The leaving certificate examination is considered the minimum qualification, yet the majority of adults in the State do not have the certificate. Therefore, the importance of the further education sector cannot be overstated. Many learners who benefit from PLC courses are mature students returning to formal education after a considerable period. This means they need additional and specific supports in making the transition back to full-time education, particularly in order to enhance literacy and numeracy skills, which are essential to employment prospects. Not only will the change to the pupil-teacher ratio at PLC level result in the loss of teaching jobs, it will also bring a forced end to many specialised courses regarded as essential for the reskilling of adult learners.

In his speech, the Minister of State referred to the European globalisation adjustment fund. I am concerned about the mismanagement associated with the fund. The Minister of State has been hands-on in respect of it but serious questions arose over how it was managed. I would be interested in receiving an update from the Minister of State on the total proportion of the fund due to be returned from the State, that is, from all the now-closed projects, including the programme for redundant construction workers. I would like the Minister of State to comment on the money that has been spent, be it in respect of Waterford Crystal, SR Technics or redundant construction workers. It was used to subsidise pre-existing supports for the workers rather than to provide tailor-made additional interventions, as the rules of the fund require.

Let me touch on a matter that the Minister of State mentioned in his speech regarding the guarantee. The Tánaiste made great play last week of the agreement, worth ¤6 billion, in respect of the European youth unemployment fund on the conclusion of the budget negotiations. Can the Minister of State outline what investment the Government intends to make to match the small EU allocation? Can he commit that the money will be additional rather than taken out of existing programme funding?