For Deputy Brennan, yes. There are four schools in Wicklow under Project Dargle: St. Kevin's Community College, Dunlavin; Coláiste Bhríde, Carnew; Arklow CBS; and Avondale Community College in Rathdrum. These schools are all in need of the proposed development. The areas they serve are growing in population. With the new, hugely increased housing targets for County Wicklow, these developments are needed more than ever. What is the current status of these builds?

Sentiment score: 0.15

With the Minister of State's indulgence, I will go through each of the four schools. First is St. Kevin's Community College, Dunlavin. Demand for places continues to grow. Planning has been in place for over two years. Dunlavin and its hinterland population continue to grow and the school serves east Kildare as well as west Wicklow. There is a plan for four rooms for special classes. The lack of suitable rooms in the current build means students' options are limited. The library is now a classroom. Computer rooms have been converted to general classrooms. Second is Avondale Community College in Rathdrum. The new school campus will see capacity at the secondary school increase from 660 to 1,000 students. The school is far over capacity. Many rooms and spaces are no longer fit for purpose but the school cannot invest in upgrades or fixes to classrooms, practical rooms and laboratories. This is completely stalled. They are waiting on the new build.

Sentiment score: 0.01

Coláiste Bhríde, Carnew, is a special case. It seeks inclusion of a playing pitch with the building project. The new school will have a capacity for 1,000 students but there is no playing pitch included. The school currently has the land required and planning permission but the key issue is the cost of levelling the site. It put a proposal to the NDFA for pitch groundworks, which was rejected, but it still hopes the Department will reconsider. The current building at Arklow CBS is simply unfit for purpose. There is a project, for which we have been promised a sod-turning next May, in Blessington Community College in west Wicklow. That project has been put back on a number of occasions. The school is currently full of prefabs. It desperately needs a school building in what is a massively growing town just 19 miles from where we sit today. I ask that this project move to final tender stage and a contractor be appointed as soon as possible.

Sentiment score: 0.09

212. Deputy Edward Timmins asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if there are plans to vary, expand or deepen the Erasmus programme for third level students; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [67790/25]

Sentiment score: 0.20

As I am sure the Minister is aware, Erasmus is a wonderful programme that has brought students from all over Europe together and allowed them to experience other cultures. It has increased our understanding of other European countries and, thus, has given Irish people ideas and knowledge that have enriched our country. It has been a huge success and is mostly a positive experience for those who partake in it. Are there plans to vary, expand or deepen the Erasmus programme for third level students?

Sentiment score: 0.54

Ireland benefits more than any other European nation from this programme. Given our geographic location, it is so important that we develop contacts and understanding of mainland Europe. This enriches us culturally. Understanding another language leads us to better understand other peoples. It also helps us think in different ways and develop new ideas. Learning a European language is one of the most enriching experiences one can have. I speak as someone who spent a few years working and living in mainland Europe, in France, Germany and Switzerland. There are also economic benefits to these exchanges. As a small nation, we are hugely dependent on exports. We have a huge market of wealthy economies on our doorstep. There are opportunities for Irish businesses to export to these countries. They also represent economies we can rely on, which are stable and respect the rule of law.

Sentiment score: 0.29

I note the current Erasmus+ programme ambitions include fostering stronger participation in democratic life, common values and civic engagement. This is more important than ever, given the threat democracy is experiencing in the western world. The ambition to expand well beyond Europe's borders is also commendable. Promoting our European values is a worthy cause. We often forget how fortunate we are to live in a peaceful, democratic and wealthy society, something our ancestors could only dream of and which people in many parts of the world today do not have. Ireland was known as the island of saints and scholars back in the Dark Ages. We went to Europe, educated the natives and our legacy remains all over Europe. I urge the Minister to continue to support and develop this rich and positive programme that we call Erasmus.

Sentiment score: 0.44