Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

As I explained earlier there is a process under way trying to figure out how many additional places we will have in medicine, nursing, veterinary medicine and pharmacy as well as where they will be located. I do not know the exact number of universities that have made applications but I know a number of universities and technology universities have. It would be wrong for me to prejudice the outcome of that examination. Suffice it to say that there are a number of options open to us. It could be expanding the existing centres. It could be creating new ones. It could be a combination of both; that is certainly a possibility as well.

The process is being managed by the Higher Education Authority, HEA, and the applications are currently being reviewed. I do not know exactly who has applied and who has not. If I can find out and if I am allowed to tell the Deputy I will. I do not see why that would be a secret. The applications through the process have been managed by the HEA. The Minister has not seen the proposals and cannot comment on the content of the proposals. The HEA will consider the opportunities for new programme provision alongside current programme expansion and will present the final list of options to the Minister in the first quarter of this year - so sooner rather later I think it is fair to say.

I will have to come back to the Deputy on the all-island programme issue.

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