I propose to take Questions Nos. 10, 12, 27, 36, 48, 50, 55, 58, 59, 65, 82 and 124 together.
The provision of places in universities, regional, technical and other third-level colleges is kept under review in my Department. The Deputies will be aware that under the terms of the Programme for Economic and Social Progress special initiatives will create almost 9,000 additional third level places within the period of the programme. Initiatives include the provision of 3,600 places in universities under arrangements initiated by the Government in the 1990 budget to be followed through in the 1991 budget and in the 1992 budget the provision of funding to UCD, the utilisation of spare capacity in the Colleges of Education including Thomond College involving linkages within the university system and the provision of a new Regional Technical College in Tallaght, County Dublin, and other third-level facilities. The possibility of a further 1,000 places being provided with private sector financial participation is being explored by one of the universities.
It is considered that the above consensus will go a long way towards meeting the demand for further third level places in a cost effective manner.
In terms of participation in higher education both Mayo and Tipperary fare relatively well compared with other areas of the country. According to the second National Survey of Participation in Higher Education by Patrick Clancy, both these counties had higher than the then national average entering higher education in 1986; I hope to discuss the matter fully at a later date.