Nessa Cosgrove (Labour)

I commend the motion. I am delighted we are having this discussion. Where I live in Sligo, the Atlantic Technological University, ATU, is fantastic. It has become a technical university. It is a huge investment into the area and we are all very proud of it.

On transport infrastructure, I raise the issue of connectivity between all the ATU campuses - Galway, Mayo, Sligo and Donegal. If the western rail corridor was opened up, it would make a massive difference. In all the campuses, particularly in Sligo, there is a huge problem with student accommodation. I have also raised in the House the need to have an early commuter train from Longford to Sligo. That would alleviate the problem to some extent.

I am delighted to hear there is a move towards reducing third level fees. My colleague in the Labour Party, Niamh Bhreathnach, abolished fees in 1995. That had a big, long-term effect of getting more people access to third level education.

I take this opportunity to talk about the further education and training sector. It is a vast and diverse sector with many strings to its bow, and it can often be overlooked when discussing higher education. Many small towns have further education colleges which provide access to education for huge numbers of people who might otherwise not have an opportunity to gain further qualifications. It would be impossible for me to list all the courses. In my constituency, there are courses offered from level 5 to level 6, for example, pre-nursing, physiotherapy, health skills, education and complementary therapies. These are an introduction for people who might not have felt supported in school and that school was not for them. It is a pathway that might lead them to continue on their education journey. Ballyshannon, Collooney, Mohill, Drumshanbo and Manorhamilton are all small towns that have outreach for further education centres. They are going to equip many entrepreneurs who will stay in area and provide sustainable wealth that our future should be built on within rural Ireland.

Coming from a youth work background, I can see the pathway Youthreach and community training centres create. They provide a lifeline for many young people who might otherwise not get a meaningful qualification. This holistic-based learning, which is very much target-based learning for young people, addresses their needs with life skills and serves as a pathway to move people further to traineeships and apprenticeships.

Senator Tully and my colleague, Deputy Marie Sherlock, have raised the issue of apprenticeship pay. I encourage Members to support the inclusion of apprenticeships in the minimum wage Bill. We know there is a shortage of apprentices. I know from working in Sligo training centre that there is a wrap-around approach to students. Their learning is tailored and they are with adult education tutors who make sure they are supported in every aspect of their learning needs. This brings me to the point that we need to recognise adult education tutors. I am aware that there have been demonstrations outside Leinster House in this regard. Three thousand tutors across the country are not being recognised with fair and equal employment rights by comparison with teachers working in secondary schools. The tutors are teachers. They are employed, registered with the Teaching Council and have the requisite qualifications. They are recognised as teachers but are not being paid as teachers. Many adult education tutors are not paid when they are not teaching, leaving them dependent upon social welfare payments during the college holidays. That is not fair and does not make sense. The new pay scale for tutors that the Government announced last year has turned out not to be the solution. In fact, it has deepened the unfairness. The new pay scale fails to take prior experience into account and assumes 52 weeks of work per year. Due to ETB centre closures, there are a few tutors who work for the full year. They mostly work a maximum of 37 weeks, which means they have to sign on.

Adult education is a necessity. The FET sector is often overlooked. I am wondering whether it could be included as part of the National Training Fund. I know the money has been unlocked, but can this area of tutor pay be included?