Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The Deputy raised a range of issues. There is very good progress on equality of access. More people with a disability and more people from socially disadvantaged backgrounds are getting into our higher education system but we need to do more in that area. In terms of funding higher level, for the first time this year we committed to €36 million. A funding slope upwards is committed to by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform. We are also putting in place a working group between the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform and me to bring forward proposals for an employer-Exchequer funding mechanism so there are a number of initiatives. In respect of the institutes of technology and Galway-Mayo Institute of Technology, I recognise that we need to ensure a strong future for the Castlebar campus and work is being done to devise a strong plan for that campus so that it can develop in the future.

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