Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Chairman. I apologise for missing the presentation. I was attending a meeting of the Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade. I welcome the witnesses. I have known Ms Rena Donaghey for many years. I met some of the other delegates more recently. Their project is very interesting. When I flicked through the briefing we were given, I did not see any mention of the witnesses' interaction with education providers. The north west is fortunate to be so well served by further and higher education, for example at Letterkenny Institute of Technology. There is easy access from south Donegal to Institute of Technology, Sligo. Magee College and other colleges of further education are based in Derry. As we know, the colleges are playing an increasing and obvious role in regenerating local economies and the national economy. Are the colleges in places like Letterkenny and Derry centrally involved in the witnesses' proposals for what is needed in the region? Are they ensuring the potential of the region is maximised to the best extent possible from the point of view of learning, providing services and creating jobs?

As Deputy McConalogue said, easy access to adequate broadband is a huge issue in rural areas, particularly for people who are working from home. Many people, including farmers trying to register their calves with the Department, are frustrated by the lack of adequate broadband. At a time when many families are under financial pressure, many children stay at home full-time when they are in third level education. Like Deputy Conlan, I know many people in counties Cavan and Monaghan who are living at home while attending Dundalk Institute of Technology. If they do not have proper broadband at home, it makes it much more difficult for them to study and to access the documents they need. I am sorry I missed the witnesses' presentation. Having made a quick perusal of their document, it seems to me that the central involvement of the education providers is absolutely essential in everything we do to provide better services and develop our economies regionally and nationally.