Vol. 560 No. 1
542 Mr. McCormack asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the position regarding the skills training courses conducted by Coillte Teoranta in the four colleges, Ballyhayes Agricultural College, UCD, WIT Waterford and GMIT Galway, following the ?40 million reduction in the Estimates; if these courses as conducted by Coillte Teoranta will go ahead in 2003; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1013/03]
Students from the above colleges attend Coillte's training centre at Mountrath, County Laois, to undergo manual skills training. All these students, on successful completion of their college examinations, would hope to work in a professional capacity in the forestry sector. I am examining the range of programmes funded by my Department to ensure that expenditure is targeted to achieve the optimum benefits for the wider forestry sector. I appreciate the concern of the students who obviously wish to be in a position to complete the practical element of their course.
