Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 1 December 2022
120. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of students and the sectors of the economy that will benefit from his excellent recent announcement of the redevelopment of the former Pretty Polly site in Killarney as a further educational campus and centre of excellence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59788/22]
View answer155. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science further to his very positive recent announcement, if he will provide a timeline regarding the future redevelopment of the former Pretty Polly site in Killarney as a further educational campus and centre of excellence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59787/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 120 and 155 together.
The College of the Future Major Projects Fund will support the implementation of the vision set out in the Further Education Strategy.
During a recent visit to Kerry last weel, I was very pleased to announce that Kerry ETBs proposal for a FET College of the Future in Killarney, which envisages the repurposing of an existing factory site, was successful in the first stage of the assessment process under the FET College of the Future Major Projects Fund.
KETB’s proposal envisages the repurposing of an existing factory site, including the existing on-site buildings and its' transformation into a state-of-the-art campus to develop a Centre of Excellences in a range of areas. Included in its' proposal are areas such Hospitality Training, Renewable Energy and Sustainable Green Technologies, Apprenticeship Training (Craft & 2016+), and Lifelong Learning.
The proposed development of Kerry College Killarney Campus envisages bringing the first training and education facility of its kind to Killarney and South Kerry. It is envisaged that the College would serve the needs of local industry, particularly in the provision of excellence in training and education in sustainability and hospitality.
This proposal will now progress to the next stage of the project lifecycle under the public Spending Code which requires the development of a detailed Preliminary Business Case which will begin in early 2023.
A further evaluation of preliminary business cases for the ten proposals will be undertaken in 2023.
My Department and I remain committed to supporting Further Education Institutes and the wider sector in achieving their vision for FET education and provision.
