Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Teacher education policy is a matter for my ministerial colleague, Deputy Foley, in the first instance but there is an openness from her and the Department of Education to engage on this issue. As far as I am aware, that Department's policy is one of developing centres of excellence in teacher education, but perhaps that can be advanced through technological universities working with established providers. We have seen examples of that in the west. We spoke about St. Angela's and how the home economics teaching there was going to be incorporated in a technological university. If the question is whether there is an openness from us to having the conversation, there is, but we will be led from a policy point of view by the Department of Education. Without straying into its work, my sense is that it is in the space of partnering with existing providers and the like, which would, in theory, address the Cathaoirleach's point around being able to access such education in his region. I will engage with the Minister, Deputy Foley, on the matter. I am satisfied that we can both revert to the committee with a view.