asked the Minister for Agriculture if he will outline the present position relating to the development of Ballinafad College, County Mayo, as an agricultural college for the region, and his attitude towards the expansion of the present agricultural college system.
Written Answers. - Mayo Agricultural College.
373.
The high level of demand for agricultural training can best be met by expanding the facilities at existing agricultural colleges and proposals have, therefore, been made to the EEC Commission for the provision of a substantial number of additional places at existing agricultural colleges as part of the Commission's proposals for the development of agriculture in the west of Ireland. In regard to Ballinfad College, however, I have recently received detailed proposals from local interests for the conversion of the college to an agricultural college and these proposals are at present being examined in my Department.