Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)

I welcome the report and the Minister's statement that it is only a preliminary report. The issue of sustainability is of huge importance. The Minister has rightly mentioned the growth in numbers, which is a welcome development. Even in these difficult and challenging economic times, undergraduate enrolments in the academic year 2010-11 increased by 4% on the figure for the previous year, which is also welcome. Enrolments in the years from 2007 to the 2010-2011 academic year increased by 40%. We all welcome the increased level of participation at third level and want to see it continue to increase. We all want to see easy access for individuals. However, we cannot have facilities spread all over the country in order to meet geographic demands. We must also meet the demand for quality. Is consideration being given to making better use of existing facilities? There has been a dramatic improvement in recent years in existing accommodation and the provision of new colleges of further education and third level facilities. The Minister of State, Deputy Sherlock, recently opened the new Trinity College Medical School. All of this investment has been worthwhile and contributed to increased participation at third level. Can we ensure better usage and occupancy of facilities?

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