Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I know what the Deputy is saying. I do not mean to be pedantic but in the interests of clarity, I note that colleges will be open but the lectures will take place online. I say that because they were not open in March. The libraries and sports facilities are now open. Students can go into the campuses in small groups to meet a lecturer, attend a tutorial or debate a point. I want to see those things happen in the new year. Practical classes are taking place. This is different from the situation earlier in the pandemic.

I am looking forward to coming to Kerry in January. Ireland's newest university, Munster technological university, will open its doors on 1 January. That will arise from the merger of the Institute of Technology Tralee and Cork Institute of Technology. This is a very significant investment in higher education that will have huge benefits for the south west of our country, helping to provide the skills we need and providing people in Kerry and Cork with the opportunity to be educated in their own counties. Keeping young people in those counties will benefit them. I look forward to being in Tralee in January.

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