Denis Naughten (Longford-Roscommon, Fine Gael)
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Question 142: To ask the Minister for Health and Children when the decision was taken by her Department to locate the proposed school of podiatry in a university; the reason an institute of technology was deemed unsuitable; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35303/06]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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As outlined in my responses to the Deputy's previous questions on the matter, responsibility for the establishment of a school of podiatry, including its location, will be a matter in the final instance for the Department of Education and Science. A decision has not yet been taken on the location of the school or the criteria associated with this.

As the Deputy was previously advised, the delivery of clinical training, which is a significant core component of the course, must be facilitated in an integrated manner with Health Service Executive (HSE) services. The HSE has advised the two Departments of its view that the school of podiatry would be best located in a large centre of population, one that is associated with a multi-disciplinary health professional environment and which is linked to a teaching hospital.

Meetings are continuing at an official level between my Department, the Department of Education and Science, the Higher Education Authority and the HSE to consider all issues and to progress the matter.