Alan Farrell (Dublin Fingal, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

There was some very positive news contained within the Minister's response. I was especially pleased to be informed recently of the very significant increase in the capital budget and to learn that, as he mentioned, a substantial part of it, 45%, is to be expended in this particular area. That shows the sort of commitment we need in order to meet the demand of a growing young population, but also to broaden the options available to younger people, in particular school-leavers.

My engagement with ETBI was based on an exceptional level of knowledge and information exchange. A number of Dublin Deputies attended the meeting last week, as well as Deputies from all over the country. A level of ambition was set out, in particular in trying to support and deliver upon recent Government policy in the area of retrofitting but also areas like cybersecurity and the technology and software of the future. That is something I would wholeheartedly support.

I am very pleased to hear of the emphasis on the delivery of such a facility in the community of Swords with satellite facilities to be delivered elsewhere or enhanced in other communities. The community in Fingal will certainly welcome this level of investment. I very much look forward to visiting the fantastic new facility in County Louth on Monday. Later this month, I will meet with the DDLETB in order to thrash out its plans for my constituency, so the Minister's response is very welcome. I appreciate his presence this evening at this very late hour.

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