I agree with Deputy Newsome Drennan about the transparency that is needed around the Carlow College decision and the 600 students and staff. We need clarity as soon as possible and I ask the Minister to give that issue his attention. I welcome the fact that we have a South East Technological University. I want to see the campuses developed properly and fully, and funded. I refer particularly to Kildalton College and the veterinary courses there. We need to see a future where more students are attracted into that area and the funding is clearly available for the expansion of those courses. Likewise, millions of euro have now been invested in the further education college of the future in Kilkenny and I would like to see it expand and develop again. Earlier in the debate, Lemass and Whitaker were mentioned. If they were here, they would probably say the development of everyone in the Civil Service sector needs as much attention to ensure they keep pace with the policies we are putting forward. Much of the expenditure we approve in the House is poorly spent. There are often big issues with it but it is a large amount of money. It is time now that we modernise the Civil Service, equip the staff for what we want them to do with the policies we are outlining and encourage them to reform Government Departments in a meaningful way so they are at pace with political decisions and the changing world we now live in. Will the Minister of State address that in the context of education?

Sentiment score: 0.28