Ms Anna Marie Delaney:

I am a Laois woman, but I thank the Chairman. I will add to what Ms Martin has said around the links to education, the schools and the structures the council has in that regard. Through the Comhairle na nÓg system the council has a significant amount of projects and initiatives, a number of which are around entrepreneurship. The Offaly Comhairle na nÓg has done a significant programme on entrepreneurship. It links into the student schemes. They have entered into national competitions and have performed well. Our broadband officer - who also works with our IT department - made a successful application under the digital innovation fund for a robotics project with primary schools. That innovative programme is kicking off currently with the first few schools in last week. This is a new area where we are looking at new technologies and linking into the fabric of the county with the scientific aspect such as with the I-LOFAR radio telescope project in Birr and the STREAM Creative Suite. We are also developing around new technologies and we have plans with regard to the funding streams available under the digital innovation fund.

On students utilising the libraries' service and new forms of study patterns and mechanisms, the open library system was piloted in Offaly and has now been rolled out around the State. It has been very successful in utilising off-peak times for students. It allows them access to Internet provision and provides resources for them. A number of initiatives are held in libraries with the primary and second level schools at weekends and in the evenings for students around developing health mental skills such as Healthy Ireland and the Lego programme, among others, to try to encourage children to utilise the available services and resources for education and research.