Marc Ó Cathasaigh (Waterford, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

I have a list of questions as long as my arm and I do not think I will get through all of them. I am going to start with the news of the day, as the Minister described it, about the HEA expression of interest process. Like others on the committee, I turned to my own region and was delighted to see that the three bids from the South East Technological University, SETU, had been judged viable to go on to the next stage of the process. Those bids related to veterinary and pharmacy places, and an expansion of the nursing places. I asked the Taoiseach about this issue on the floor of the Dáil earlier today. He expressed the opinion that in the fullness of time, we might need all of these places. I know there is now a process whereby these expressions of interest go to the Department of Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery, and Reform. A full business case must be developed. It is at that point the rubber meets the road. I would like an insight from the Minister as to how long he thinks that process will take. Does he have an opinion or insight as to how many of those places that have overcome the first hurdle are expected to be rolled out and the timeline for that?