Louth TD urges greater support for DKIT and LMETB

In an unstable world, the opportunities that are presented by further education institutes like Dundalk IT and LMETB can create ‘real wins’, Louth TD Ruairí Ó Murchú has said.

In statements on ‘The Power of Higher Education, Research and Skills as Economic Enablers in a Changing World’, Deputy Ó Murchú highlighted the Regional Development Centre at Dundalk IT.

He said: “We need support for these operations that carry out the necessary research in the college setting and combine that with a company and business focus. There have been real wins from the point of view of medtech, sports science and others. 

“These are the sorts of things we need to see. I recently mentioned the Advanced Manufacturing Training Centre of Excellence. Again, this is the LMETB to the fore, answering the questions industry has. 

“I refer to the robotics apprenticeship, and I agree we need to have multiple pathways. A piece of work needs to be done by the Minister to make sure that is put into play. I make a call about the college of the future required in Dundalk”.

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He also took the opportunity to highlight the need to finalise the pay and conditions of Personal Assistants who work in third level ETB institutions in Louth helping students with disabilities.

He said: “They have requested a meeting with the Minister and that must be followed through. There are issues in regard to the WRC, which was awaiting the review by the Minister's Department of PAs for those with disabilities.

“Obviously, it is about ensuring that they have a contract that works for them and also that we provide the service for those with disabilities and that we maintain them within the further and higher education setting”.