Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 25 July 2023
1439. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the plans that are being considered by his Department to expand or develop an educational setting (details supplied) at its existing location; the proposed timeframe for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36641/23]
View answerLate last year, I was very happy to announce that the proposal for the project referred to by the Deputy was successful at the first stage of the assessment process under the FET College of the Future Major Projects Fund.
I am pleased to inform the Deputy that since then my Department has worked closely with SOLAS in developing the preliminary business case stage of the process. Workshops have taken place with KWETB during the development phase of their proposal. ETBs have up to the end of September to complete and return their preliminary business cases for evaluation.
The proposal put forward by KWETB is for an upgraded and extended building to include the construction of additional learning and training classrooms and workshops. The current Institute of Further Education College is the proposed site for the location of the new FET College. This proposed site allows for the development a FET College campus which would facilitate the incorporation of the existing PLC and consolidated FET services. In turn, this would enable a significant provision of programmes for progression to work, higher education, apprenticeship, and social inclusion for full-time and part-time learners.
