Mr. David Duffy:

On the question of students from DEIS schools progressing to further and higher education, those routes and transitions are crucially important. The data show very clearly that the institute of technology and technological university sectors have a much higher proportion of flexible learners and flexible routes, such as students who depend on Student Universal Support Ireland grants, than the traditional universities. In respect of the institutes of technology, the technological universities and indeed the FE colleges, that area also needs funding and support.