I want to raise the Mayo College of Further Education and Training, which delivers more than 40 courses with outstanding support services and runs across three campuses in Ballina, Castlebar and Westport. The Castlebar campus is also home to the Mayo, Sligo and Leitrim Education and Training Board headquarters and accommodates up to 700 students.

It is well below an acceptable standard, however, for an inclusive and vibrant learning environment. It has submitted an application to SOLAS under further education capital funding. I support that application. A new further education and training campus in Castlebar would provide mutual beneficial opportunities for Mayo College of Further Education and Training and the Atlantic Technological University at Castlebar, in line with current strategies, including SOLAS strategies. When can we expect progress on the new capital investment programme for the further education and training, FET, sector?

I expect there will be an outcome in the coming weeks. I am aware of the application by Mayo College of Further Education and Training to the FET College of the Future major projects fund. There are two parts to the assessment process for such applications. The first part has now been completed by the SOLAS-led evaluation team and its report has been submitted to the Department of the Minister, Deputy Harris, for consideration. It is expected that the evaluation report, with recommendations, will be submitted to the Minister, Deputy Harris, in the coming weeks, following which the education and training boards that submitted applications under the process will be advised of the outcomes of the first stage of the two-stage evaluation process.