Cathal Crowe (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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14. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will support proposals to develop a training centre for students of the University of Limerick’s bachelor of science in paramedic studies course at the new Civil Defence building in Ennis, County Clare. [49628/21]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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I want to thank the Deputy for raising the matter, but it is not an issue which has previously been brought to my attention.

It’s certainly very positive to see the new Civil Defence headquarters in Ennis open. Taken alongside the establishment of the Technological University of the Shannon: Midlands Midwest and the fact that Ennis is now a university town, these will be important drivers of development for the town and the wider region.

With respect to this particular issue, as the Deputy knows, Higher Education Institutions are autonomous institutions under their relevant legislation. That means that they are academically independent and entitled to decide on their particular academic course content and provision, the location of programmes and their resourcing.

That’s the approach which makes most sense and which ensures that educational provision reflects the particular needs and interests of a local area or region.

In this case, the best way forward would be for the Civil Defence and the University and any other relevant stakeholders to speak directly to see if there are mutually agreeable proposals that can be advanced.