Victor Boyhan (Independent)

That was an important intervention. The clarification provided is that it applies to the review. I thank Senators Ruane and Stephenson for raising that because clarity is everything.

I did not think about that immediately; it took a few days. I looked at the alternative, which was that last week we had proposed a review and that was not really under consideration. We have made progress. We have this review. That is important. However, in light of two interventions by Senators Stephenson and Ruane, it is important that whatever the advocacy group - it is currently Sage Advocacy or the Citizens' Information Board - it should be encouraged, resourced and funded to proactively promote the scheme. We should not have a situation where people do not know about the scheme. I put that down as a marker.

I am happy to support this. I am happy the clarification in respect of the review has been given by the Minister, but we also need to be assured that there will be a proactive commitment through the Irish clubs in the UK and everywhere else that we will continue to promote it. I go to the Citizens Information website online for loads of information. I am a Member of the Oireachtas. I find it a good source of information, as do many members of the public. We should, through our embassies, outreach programmes and diaspora programmes, wherever they are, be promoting the idea of this education and training because it is there to help and assist people. Clearly, many of the people involved are in the latter stages of their lives. As a result, it is important that we use every medium and every opportunity to communicate the message about the education and training funding.