James Lawless (Kildare North, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Senator for the invite. I may well take her up on that at some stage when I am next in the area. I visited Cork ETB last Friday and discussed a range of areas, including plans at Carrigaline and other places where it has ambition. I share and support its ambitions, no less so in Macroom. There are some steps to go through as regards the proposed site, namely, value for money, assessment of needs, climate targets, modernisation, suitability and all the other criteria I would expect my officials to apply to any location. This one is no different. Cork ETB is on the move and is a proactive and dynamic organisation. It has a renewed and reimagined further education provision model. There is that intention to consolidate around a purpose-adapted single facility. It would follow the lines of the Mallow development, with which the Senator may be familiar. That is the intention.

I assure the Senator that, from my discussions with Cork ETB and my Department, the ETB, SOLAS and I are committed to making this happen, but there is some work to do on it. Perhaps the Senator might wish to use her offices at local level, too. We will all do a bit. I will push from this side and she might makes representations locally as well to get everyone moving forward.