Further education - Vital sector is shamefully neglected

IT would be hard to exaggerate the importance of further education as a major source of lifelong learning and a key tool in providing skilled and trained workers for Ireland’s expanding workforce.

Yet, despite its inestimable contribution to the social and industrial fabric of the nation, the Government is shamefully neglecting this vital component of the education system.

As with so many other spheres of activity, we lag far behind other European states by failing to establish a distinct further education sector with the funding, resources and structures that implies.