Mairéad Farrell (Galway West, Sinn Fein)
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We have received apologies from Deputies. I remind members and officials to please ensure their mobile phones are switched off for the duration of this meeting, as they interfere with the broadcasting equipment, even when on silent mode. This meeting has been convened to consider the Supplementary Estimates for Vote 45 - Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, which was referred to this committee by Dáil Éireann. I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Niall Collins, who has responsibility for skills and further education, and his officials to the meeting. I thank them for the briefing document which was provided for this meeting. I ask the Minister of State to make his opening statement. Members can then ask general questions on Vote 45.