John Perry (Sligo-North Leitrim, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

There are 170,000 students in the system. Foreign direct investment is driven by the huge acclamation of the calibre of the students and graduates that we have. We also have SMEs in the Enterprise Ireland portfolio. Is there much collaboration? Sligo Institute of Technology works very closely with start-up companies through facilitation of low rent for accommodation. I have observed the recognition of the institutes of technology, their partnership with SMEs and their support for foreign direct investment. Is it fair to say much foreign direct investment is based on a very efficient institute facility. Sligo has several thousand students, and companies consider the calibre of the students with IT degrees or qualifications in forensic science. Is this the engine of growth for foreign direct investment? We have a regional development plan, but it is very much focused on the calibre of students. It is important to recognise the role of the HEA with regard to the institutes of technology. Do we have 19 institutes of technology?