Michelle Mulherin (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Regarding third-level education, we have the Mayo campus of Galway-Mayo Institute of Technology, GMIT, located in Castlebar in Mayo, and there is much concern locally that the campus is being downgraded to the benefit of Galway. I have met recently with Dr. Fergal Barry, head of GMIT, and the local head of campus, Mr. Michael Gill. It would seem that the problems of GMIT apply both in Mayo and in Galway, and that they share difficulties and challenges that IT colleges around the country share.

It would seem that there is scope for GMIT Mayo and Galway campuses to get more involved in research and development, but the funding made available by Government, which I understand is €150 million, which allows universities to seek co-funding from businesses and to set up funding for particular projects, is not available to the IT colleges. This clearly will impact on their ability to engage in research and development projects, and as I understand it part of our success in terms of investment, job creation and growth has been in the area of research and development. In my own neck of the woods, Ballina, we see some of our multinationals engage in research and development. This is adding value to their products and is also adding jobs. I understand that this funding is not available to IT colleges. What is the rationale for this and can it be addressed? This presents a structural problem for the IT colleges if they cannot access the same funding. Evidence of this is that within the past ten years we have witnessed a fall in funding to the IT colleges of approximately €1,700 per student compared to €250 for the universities, which would seem to underpin or verify the case that is being made that the IT colleges are not being properly supported equitably. How can this be justified?

With regard GMIT and the Mayo campus, this college is critical for rolling out vital third-level courses in our region. We spoke earlier about disadvantage. The issue of the logistics of people travelling and being able to afford to go to college also arises. The location of the campus makes third-level education accessible which people might not otherwise avail of. Perhaps the Minister can give some assurance as to how GMIT can make up this shortfall and truly engage in a sector that it is ready, willing and able to engage with. It has two research and development projects underway but they have to seek 100% funding.

I welcome the new Delivering Equality in Schools, DEIS, support programme. There are many schools around the country which are relieved they will get the extra supports and benefits and help them tackle educational disadvantage in the areas that they serve. It has been pointed out that some schools are disappointed, and I welcome the engagement that will take place between the Department and the schools. One school in particular that has been included this time around is Inver national school. I am asking the Minister that additional interim supports be given to the school.The reason is that the school has been excluded from the DEIS programme since 2005, quite simply because the person responsible for filling out forms did not return them, notwithstanding reminders from the Department. This is all tied in to the Corrib project, the Shell to Sea campaign, etc. The whole region, the barony of Erris, was devastated for a while in that there was much conflict within the community. Since the time in question, many wrongs have been put to right, thankfully, and many issues have been settled.

Every other national school in Erris — they all have a similar profile — acquired DEIS status. I have contacted the Minister's two predecessors, Mr. Ruairí Quinn and Deputy Jan O'Sullivan, but nobody could state why the school, through no fault of its own, was never included. A whole generation of children has lost out on school supports and capitation grants. It is not enough that the children will get the support in September 2017. Some interim support should be given where there is clearly disadvantage. The school has been vindicated by being included this time and it has had a case throughout. At the time of the refusal of DEIS status, the school was not even allowed to appeal because of the approach taken by the person responsible, who has long departed from the school. I commend the head of the board of management, the principaland the community, all of whom have not given up and have not become too cynical about the fact that they have been ignored.

I ask the Minister to put this wrong to right. Many wrongs have been put to right. I ask the Minister to examine this matter. There is no other school in the country, in any region, that has experienced what has been experienced in the school in question. I ask the Minister to examine this with fresh eyes.