Vol. 544 No. 3
457 Mr. Hogan asked the Minister for Education and Science when he will give a progress report on the need for increasing the number of courses and enhancing the third level educational facilities being provided by Maynooth College; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28603/01]
468 Mr. Hogan asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will report on the need for increasing courses and enhancing the third level educational facilities being provided by Maynooth College; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28742/01]
I propose to answer Questions Nos. 457 and 468 together.
I understand that the Deputy is referring to the Maynooth outreach provision in Kilkenny. As the Deputy will be aware, NUI Maynooth established the Kilkenny outreach campus in St. Kieran's College, Kilkenny in 1997. I have agreed to fund this outreach pilot project for a five year period. NUI Maynooth has been requested to develop a five year strategic plan for the facility at Kilkenny, which will, inter alia, examine the potential for expanding the existing range of programmes on offer. This pilot project, including the range of programmes offered, will be the subject of a comprehensive evaluation and the initiative will be reviewed in the light of the experience gained at the end of the five year period.
