Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the officials. I know this is beyond the remit of what we are here for today but it does concern me on occasion. One will often see in the national newspapers that they have gone through every school in the country and shown where students placed after they did their leaving certificate and what colleges they went to. Some schools have a very low rate of take-up in the context of students going on to third level education. It is really concerning that people might think that if a person is going to a particular school then he or she must not be going to third level. Some of these schools are absolutely excellent education providers. Maybe it is the cases there are people who do not want to go on to third level, but it is something the Government must remain cognisant of. It is one of the reasons we will be doing some form of module before the end of the year on accessibility and accessibility for all because it is really important.

Just to finish up on my questions, the importance of primary research and the role of researchers were also highlighted by witnesses at previous meetings. Does the general scheme include provisions to promote research in the HEIs?