Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 18 January 2024
100. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science for an update on plans to construct the Mayo College of Further Education at the Military Barracks in Castlebar; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2011/24]
View answerThe Deputy will be aware that Mayo Sligo Leitrim ETB (MSLETB) have been working with and supported by SOLAS in developing their preliminary business case proposal for Castlebar under the FET College of the Future Major Projects fund for the last number of months. The development of a robust Preliminary Business Case (PBC) is fundamental to the requirements of the Infrastructure Guidelines (Formerly known as the Public Spending Code guidelines).
Completed preliminary business cases including that of Mayo Sligo Leitrim ETB were to be submitted to SOLAS by the deadline of last Friday, the 12th of January.
In parallel to the development of their preliminary business case, Mayo Sligo Leitrim ETB are also working to identify a preferred site for their proposal. Officials from my department and SOLAS have met with MSLETB and the Local Authority representatives to progress this and SOLAS and the department await the outcome of this site identification process. My department and I are aware that the military barracks in Castlebar is one of the sites to be evaluated as part of this process.
The business case and site selection report will be evaluated under criteria such as value for money, affordability, priority alignment and strategic policy, in line with the requirements of the infrastructure guidelines,
Mayo Sligo Leitrim ETB will be informed of the outcome of this evaluation process once it is completed.
