Thomas Byrne (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Ba mhaith liom buíochas a ghabháil leis an Leas-Cathaoirleach as ucht an deis seo a thabhairt dom an cheist seo a ardú ar an Athló. I also thank the Minister of State for being here.

This is an important issue for County Meath as a whole. Dunboyne College of Further Education is the only such college in the entire county, although there is a college of further education in Drogheda and several in Dublin; therefore, the area is reasonably well served. Dunboyne College of Further Education is actually a constituent part of St. Peter's College, Dunboyne and therein lies the difficulty. St. Peter's College is a very large secondary school which is doing a great job in a new building. The college of further education is located in office accommodation in Dunboyne. It is also doing a great job and providing an enormous range of courses, including language, pre-nursing and a full range of post-leaving certificate courses. It is also engaged in link-ups with the Institute of Technology, Blanchardstown and NUI Maynooth. It does not, however, have independence. There is one principal in charge of the two institutions because they are, in fact, deemed to be one institution with one roll number. This is not satisfactory. The college believes it should have its own roll number, separate access to the Department of Education and Skills and be independent of the secondary school in order that it can provide a real education service for the people of County Meath. It would, in effect, then form an educational triangle with the institute of technology in Blanchardstown and NUI Maynooth. Those involved in the college of further education cannot go anywhere until it separates from the secondary school. The college is seeking independence and its students would be better served if it had that independence. I look forward to hearing the Minister of State's response.