I propose to take Questions Nos. 231 and 232 together.
I recently had a very useful meeting with a deputation from Mayo Vocational Education Committee. The deputation raised for consideration the provision of third level courses in Castlebar on an outcentre basis. The deputation said that they had some discussion with the health board with regard to the acquisition of part of a hospital in Castlebar for the purpose of accommodating the proposed outcentre provision. I told them that the relevant section in my Department would be asked to look at the building and to report on the matter.
With regard to course approval, any outcentre provision of courses would have to be under the aegis of a regional technical college and, therefore, the question of approval of specific courses does not arise at this time.