Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy is aware, the HEA recently carried out an exercise to identify options for building capacity in the higher education sector in priority disciplines including Veterinary Medicine.

As I am still reviewing the submission from the HEA, it is not currently possible to say how many further places may be delivered at this time, which higher education institutions may be involved, or in what specific areas these places may be made available. I am also engaging with my Cabinet colleagues, the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, and the Minister for Health in relation to the options.

Our Departments are continuing to engage closely on this matter to consider these options, having regard to workforce plans and projected demand for graduates.

Brendan Griffin (Kerry, Fine Gael)
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109. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will provide a progress update on the Kerry ETB campus at a site (details supplied) in Killarney; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26668/23]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Late last year, I was very happy to announce that Kerry ETB’s (KETB) strategic proposal to develop a Further Education College in Killarney was successful at the first stage of the assessment process under the FET College of the Future Major Projects Fund. The proposal put forward by KETB relates to the development of the former Pretty Polly and Sara Lee site to provide a specialist centre of skills development in hospitality training. I am pleased to inform the Deputy that since then my Department has worked closely with SOLAS in developing a suite of templates and guidance notes in line with Public Spending Code requirements for the preliminary business case stage of the process. Workshops took place at the end of March 2023 with relevant ETB representatives, including KETB, to advise on how to complete the templates. SOLAS will continue to work closely with these ETBs, including KETB, during the development phase of their proposal. ETBs have up to the end of September to complete and return their preliminary business cases for evaluation.