Further and Higher Education
Dail Éireann — 2026-03-05
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Catherine Callaghan (FG), Carlow-Kilkenny

I thank the Minister of State. He has almost answered my next question. It is very heartening to hear we are all thinking along the same lines. It is very important we recognise that over recent years there has been a growth in appreciation for the role of traditional craft works in Irish society. Skills such as thatching and stonemasonry have often been looked at in a nostalgic way as cherished emblems of an older Ireland. I believe, however, and I recognise from the comments of the Minister of State, that traditional skills have a place not only in Ireland's past but in its future as well.
Traditional skills will play an important role in the 21st century through the development of the specialist courses in Kilkenny and Carlow Education and Training Board, which the Minister State mentioned. Recently it held the first thatching course in 15 years in Sheepstown in County Kilkenny. That is probably a testament to the rich potential the sector has. As the Minister of State has said, it is critical that apprentices can learn these skills while there are still expert craft persons to train them. He has given some assurance already, but he might reiterate that every possible measure is being taken to expedite the delivery of the national centre of excellence and training in traditional skills.

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Record URI: https://data.oireachtas.ie/akn/ie/debateRecord/dail/2026-03-05/debate/main
Retrieved: 2026-08-14T04:54:44+00:00
Sitting date: 2026-03-05