asked the Minister for Education the higher education and regional technical college building projects on which work will commence within the allocation in the 1990 Estimates; if any of these are among the eight projects which had been deferred pending the report of the interdepartmental committee established in April 1988; if so, the reason these projects were selected to proceed in advance of the presentation of the report; the basis for selection; and if the selection of some projects and not others has in any way prejudiced the prospects of the latter.
Written Answers. - Higher Education Building Projects.
134.
A number of priority projects will commence within the allocation in the 1990 Estimates. The sole new building project will be a new regional technical college for Tallaght.
Projects are being selected (i) to meet the needs of existing colleges where serious deficiencies in accommodation and equipment had been identified and (ii) to improve training infrastructure and enhance the capability of the third level sector to support industry in bridging the technological gap between Ireland and the more developed regions of the EC.
The selection of projects to proceed in 1990 has in no way prejudiced the prospects of any other projects, all of which will be given full consideration in the preparation of the 1991 Estimates and the availability of capital at that time.