Dr. Tom Kelly:

I will answer Deputy McNamara's question on the ICBF and the green cert. Our green cert or level 5 and 6 FETAC approved courses are guided by an education forum, on which there is farmer representation but, as I recall, no direct ICBF representation. We have significant content in the programmes, particularly the green cert programmes, in terms of the use of the reports generated through the ICBF and in terms of breeding. Reflecting Deputy Barry's comments, we consider this to be at the cutting edge of breeding and of genetic improvement and it is also at the cutting edge of important farm management information and the use of it by farmers to make better decisions. We justify it on that basis.

On Senator Pat O'Neill's question on student numbers and student intake, we have succeeded in having a take up of in excess of 1,500 new students across all our colleges and local option courses this year. A little more than half of those were college level entry at level 5 and level 6 and the remainder are taking part-time and online courses. We realise we are struggling to keep up with the requirement. I do not believe 300 people were left out of the loop this year in terms of training options. We probably would have reduced that to somewhat fewer than 50. Our obligation is to try to fit those in if they want to take up a part-time or online course during the year. If not, we try to prioritise them and get them into a course in a college starting next September if that is their wish. We have achieved in terms of the intakes into the colleges. We have around 140 additional places in our colleges this year, which was a major help when we came to address what looked like being a 300 or so deficit at the start of the year. The part-time courses that are run at local centres are very attractive to people who can work part-time or farm at home and participate in the programme.

On the specific question on people with learning difficulties, we reserve a percentage of places, 3% to 5% I understand are the figures, for those people in our colleges. Normally we would take in 3% of people with learning difficulties who qualify under learning support and they are prioritised above other students but it is competitive. If ten people apply and we only three places, we have to cut our cloth to measure as little if we have to refuse students. There is the option that they would get into another college but not the college they sought to enter.