Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, Deputy Simon Harris. I also welcome the Minister of State with responsibility for skills and further education, Deputy Niall Collins, and the officials. I thank them for the briefing documents they provided to the committee prior to the meeting. I will now ask the Minister, Deputy Harris, to make his opening statement and members can ask general questions on Vote 45. Members will have four minute slots, beginning with Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh, for questions and the Minister's reply. I ask members to refer to the Minister or Minister of State to whom they are addressing their questions.