Ms Bríd Ní Chonghaile:

If I may add something relating to housing, we fund Comhdháil Oileáin na hÉireann, which was represented here last week. We give it an annual grant. It requested an increase in that grant this year to cover a housing survey on the islands and it is undertaking that at the moment. That will cover everything from derelict houses to, perhaps, holiday homes. As part of that, Comhdháil Oileáin na hÉireann hopes to build up a picture that may enable it in the near future to establish a forum and maybe a housing association. Comhdháil Oileáin na hÉireann is best suited and best situated to know what the requirements are and what the potential is on the islands. It will undertake the survey and, in future, probably establish the forum and the housing authority. Following on from that, its intention is to seek funding to upgrade or to purchase housing that would be available for island dwellers.

As for second level schools or education more generally and the expansion of subject choice, it is quite challenging to get teachers to come to the islands, especially to teach a specialised subject at second level. There is a trial ongoing in three schools that enables e-learning. I think it covers physics. It is going very well and it is hoped it will be expanded in the future.