An investment in education is an investment in recovery

Posted on February 02, 2010 at 07:45 PM

Yesterday was the deadline date for CAO submissions and today we learned applications are well up on previous years with two applications for every college place.

This issue was raised during Leaders' Questions in the Dáil this afternoon when the Labour Leader Eamon Gilmore reminded the Government that Labour has argued time and time again that additional places in higher and further education are needed to meet the needs of those who have lost their job.

Eamon said: "If the Government does not (provide sufficient places in higher and further education) between now and September, people who have lost their jobs who wish to return to education and training will be denied their place and will have to stay on the dole or the young people who are today preparing for their leaving certificate examination will be denied the place in third level or further education that they had hoped to get because the points for entry will have increased."

Eamon told the Government this is an investment in recovery and it is a matter of planning and doing the right thing.

The full debate will be available on the Oireachtas website while you can view Eamon's contribution on the accompanying video.

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