Vol. 471 No. 6
6 Mr. M. Smith asked the Minister for Education whether Tralee Regional Technical College is to be relocated in its entirety to a new greenfield site; if so, the ultimate cost of this project; the reasons behind the decision to relocate; and the plans, if any, in respect of the existing buildings and site where Tralee regional technical college is currently located. [21318/96]
14 Mr. Lawlor asked the Minister for Education whether Tralee Regional Technical College is to be relocated in its entirety to a new greenfield site; if so, the ultimate cost of this project; the reasons behind the decision to relocate; and the plans, if any, in respect of the existing buildings and site where Tralee regional technical college is currently located. [21312/96]
19 Mr. Davern asked the Minister for Education whether Tralee Regional Technical College is to be relocated in its entirety to a new greenfield site; if so, the ultimate cost of this project; the reasons behind the decision to relocate; and the plans, if any, in respect of the buildings and site where Tralee regional technical college is currently located. [21319/96]
21 Mr. Hughes asked the Minister for Education whether Tralee Regional Technical College is to be relocated in its entirety to a new greenfield site; if so, the ultimate cost of this project; the reasons behind the decision to relocate; and the plans, if any, in respect of the buildings and site where Tralee regional technical college is currently located. [21317/96]
28 Mr. J. Walsh asked the Minister for Education whether Tralee Regional Technical College is to be relocated in its entirety to a new greenfield site; if so, the ultimate cost of this project; the reasons behind the decision to relocate; and the plans, if any, in respect of the buildings and site where Tralee regional technical college is currently located. [21310/96]
32 Mr. Flood asked the Minister for Education whether Tralee Regional Technical College is to be relocated in its entirety to a new greenfield site; if so, the ultimate cost of this project; the reasons behind the decision to relocate; and the plans, if any, in respect of the buildings and site where Tralee regional technical college is currently located. [21314/96]
45 Mr. Morley asked the Minister for Education whether Tralee Regional Technical College is to be relocated in its entirety to a new greenfield site; if so, the ultimate cost of this project; the reasons behind the decision to relocate; and the plans, if any, in respect of the buildings and site where Tralee regional technical college is currently located. [21316/96]
50 Dr. Moffatt asked the Minister for Education whether Tralee Regional Technical College is to be relocated in its entirety to a new greenfield site; if so, the ultimate cost of this project; the reasons behind the decision to relocate; and the plans, if any, in respect of the buildings and site where Tralee regional technical college is currently located. [21315/96]
54 Mr. Lenihan asked the Minister for Education whether Tralee Regional Technical College is to be relocated in its entirety to a new greenfield site; if so, the ultimate cost of this project; the reasons behind the decision to relocate; and the plans, if any, in respect of the buildings and site where Tralee regional technical college is currently located. [21313/96]
65 Mr. Martin asked the Minister for Education whether Tralee Regional Technical College is to be relocated in its entirety to a new greenfield site; if so, the ultimate cost of this project; the reasons behind the decision to relocate; and the plans, if any, in respect of the buildings and site where Tralee regional technical college is currently located. [21309/96]
104 Mr. N. Ahern asked the Minister for Education whether Tralee Regional Technical College is to be relocated in its entirety to a new greenfield site; if so, the ultimate cost of this project; the reasons behind the decision to relocate; and the plans, if any, in respect of the buildings and site where Tralee regional technical college is currently located. [21311/96]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 6, 14, 19, 21, 28, 32, 45, 50, 54, 65 and 104 together.
There are no plans to relocate the existing college in its entirety on the new site. Over the past three years it has been found necessary to sanction the acquisition of additional land and property for five of the regional technical colleges including Tralee to facilitate the provision of accommodation to house the huge increase in full-time student numbers.
In the case of Tralee regional technical college, following an unsuccessful attempt to acquire additional lands adjacent to the existing college, a site, which was considered suitable by independent consultants and the valuation office, was acquired within one mile of the college. The new site is of sufficient size to allow all foreseeable infrastructure requirements of the college to be met.
Under the 1994-9 European Regional Development Fund Programme I have allocated a sum of £6 million to developments at Tralee regional technical college. The project in question includes a hotel-tourist training facility, an information technology building and enhanced central facilities. The present position is that a design team has been appointed by the college and discussions are ongoing between officials of the Department and the college authorities regarding the facilities to be located at the new site.
In a letter to Deputy O'Malley, dated July 1996, the Minister indicated the cost of this long-term project would be in the order of £30 million. Surely it would have made more sense to make a serious effort to purchase land adjacent to the college rather than selecting a site three miles outside Tralee which, for various logistical reasons, may not be the best site. The people concerned believe a serious attempt was not made to acquire the land adjacent to the college.
There appears to be considerable discrimination against other regional technical colleges. Cork regional technical college is not receiving anywhere near the amount of money allocated to Tralee and Sligo regional technical college has not received matching funds from the Department for its development project. Similar stories could be told about other regional technical colleges. There are no plans to develop a regional technical college in the Blanchardstown-Finglas area which, because of its low participation at third level, was identified by the Higher Education Authority steering committee as the area in greatest need of an regional technical college. There appears to be an uneven and somewhat discriminatory policy from the Minister in respect of particular regional technical colleges. Dun Laoghaire and Tralee are doing well. Is it a coincidence that the goodies are flowing to where the Minister and Tánaiste are based to the detriment of other areas? There is a major hotel and catering training section in Cork regional technical college and it is now proposed to develop a top level rival down the road.
This was part of the plan announced for the development of the regional technical college. To allay the fears that no serious attempt was made to acquire land adjacent to the college, for cost and size reasons that was not possible. Serious consideration was given to acquiring that land. While in terms of proximity, it would appear to be the best site to purchase, it was not possible to pursue that acquisition. Advertisements were placed in local papers and the site of 62.2 acres outside Tralee was considered suitable. In accordance with normal open and transparent procedures, a valuation of £880,000 was agreed for the site and a sum of £6 million was allocated under the 1994-9 European Regional Development Fund Programme. The facilities being provided have been agreed as part of a plan. The breakdown of plans for other colleges is just as exciting, but the question posed related to Tralee regional technical college. From visits I made to Cork, I do not believe that regional technical college has been forgotten. I have also visited Sligo and Galway regional technical colleges.
The Minister should visit Cork again.
The Cork regional technical college has attracted large funding because of the enormous influx of students to the regional technical college sector. It is interesting to note that last year more third level students opted to go to regional technical colleges than to universities. That does not take from the fact, as the Deputy pointed out, that the Higher Education Authority recommends further development of the regional technical college sector. The development in Tralee, as in other colleges, is progressing to the satisfaction of those involved in creating more places for this third level sector.
What size was the site that was rejected as being inadequate? I understand that 50 acres of land was available within easy reach of the college and that this 60 acre site is two miles away from it. While I appreciate that Tralee is in the Tánaiste's constituency, did the Minister think of the additional cost for parents? Does she know that one third of all students in Tralee Regional Technical College are from Cork city and county? Is she suggesting it is cheaper for parents to send their children from Cork to Tralee rather than expanding the college in Cork to meet the demand already there? Cork Regional Technical College has the highest points system because it is the first choice of the majority of applicants. However, because the Minister has not made sufficient moneys available to extend the Cork college, people from Cork are now going to Tralee at great cost to themselves.
I accept the Deputy's points on behalf of Cork regional technical college. However, I was asked specifically about the development of the regional technical college in Tralee. I do not know the size of the site but I will make that information available to him. The development in Tralee is part of a plan which includes developments at the other regional technical colleges. I do not want to downgrade the regional technical college in Tralee which responds to the needs of that town.
I am concerned about the costs for parents.
Cork Regional Technical College responds to the needs of that area in the same way as the other regional technical colleges from Letterkenny to Tralee, which have been developed as exciting alternatives for students who want to go to third level.
It is getting less than half the money Tralee Regional Technical College is getting.
It is a good investment.
Cork is keeping Tralee Regional Technical College supplied with students, which is unfair to parents.
Let us hear the reply.
It is part of a plan which was accepted by all sides in 1994. The 1994-99 European Regional Development Fund programme is part of the developments in all the colleges. I have no doubt the Deputy will try to secure further investment for this sector, particularly for Cork, in the next plan prior to 1999.
I will be whistling against the wind.
What mechanisms are in place in the Department to establish the merits of requests for development support from the regional technical colleges? Has an annual report been prepared in this regard? Is there a report on how the request to expand the activities of Tralee Regional Technical College was assessed and, if so, will the Minister make it available to the House as soon as possible?
The Higher Education Authority is examining the expansion of this sector.
Cork did not do well in that either.
I will make the needs study report available to the Deputy. It provides the facts and figures and the demographic trends which allow us to plan for the future. It also mentioned the Blanchardstown development, which has not been rejected.
It is mentioned in the report but the action is in slow motion.
I ask for no more interruptions because our time is short and I want to accommodate other Deputies.
We are awaiting further investment to carry out more developments. The investment in the regional technical college sector has been astronomical. This is our way of recognising the importance of third level education in the regional technical college sector. I have no doubt that sector will be central to any future educational plans and programmes. The European Regional Development Fund programme is bearing fruit in the regional technical colleges.
It is astronomical in some ways depending on where a person comes from.
I wish the students and staff of Tralee Regional Technical College well in the future. Will the Minister and her party keep the promise they made publicly prior to the last general election that Waterford Regional Technical College would be raised to the status of a university if the Labour Party was in Government?
That is an extension of this question. I do not know if the Minister wants to reply.
She wants to forget it.
I only have the information about Tralee Regional Technical College in this file. Waterford Regional Technical College is another successful college.
The Deputy is talking about an electoral promise; it is not in the file.
We only have two or three minutes left and we are making slow progress.
I only have information about Tralee Regional Technical College. However, the examination and development of the regional technical colleges is the subject of a report. The development of Waterford Regional Technical College in the third level sector was addressed in the overall context of future investment. I am confident that the work being done by Waterford Regional Technical College and the other regional technical colleges will be recognised.
That was a specific promise. Is Deputy Kemmy right that promises made at elections should not be taken seriously?
It is not in the file.
(Carlow-Kilkenny): In view of the fact that all regional technical colleges are excellent educational institutions, is it not time to raise them to the status of a university? We should not hand-pick certain colleges around the coast and isolate the midlands.
What about election promises?
The Deputy is broadening the issue.
We now have the voice of Carlow Regional Technical College. The regional technical college sector is experiencing exciting developments. It provides degree, certificate and diploma courses. The needs study addressed the development of third level education in which the regional technical colleges have a special place. They are not just institutions which allow students to take certificate and diploma courses. In the past year we have developed degree places in the regional technical college sector. This sector has been reviewed. I have been in contact with the management of the regional technical colleges and I have received proposals about the need to upgrade the colleges, to increase the number of degree places and to change their name. Students in the regional technical college sector are given many choices and they receive a wealth of education. I suggest those choices are more limited in the university sector. The regional technical college sector is under review and is a great success story. I have no doubt that the outcome of the review and the decisions regarding investment will be of interest to all Members who have spoken on behalf of the various regional technical colleges.
Was the Minister the chairperson of the Labour Party when that promise was given?
Will the Minister indicate if an undertaking was given that Waterford Regional Technical College would be upgraded and is she prepared to say this afternoon that such work will be carried out?
I note the Minister's refusal to answer directly the question posed by Deputy Deasy and the question that has now been posed by Deputy Keogh on the status of Waterford Regional Technical College.
The Deputy must proceed by way of question.
Will the Minister outline what negotiations took place with the owner of the land at Clash adjacent to the existing site in Tralee? The people concerned are adamant that no serious attempt was made to acquire their lands and they are somewhat annoyed by that because as far back as 1985 the Tánaiste was instrumental in zoning the land for educational purposes.
I understand negotiations took place in regard to the 50 acres, which are very suitable for development, but in a fit of pique some people turned away from them.
On the proposed upgrading of Waterford Regional Technical College, I ask the Minister not to forget Cork and to disregard the recommendations in the Higher Education Authority report of a 28 per cent increase for Cork as against a 60 per cent increase for Galway. On checking the figures the Minister will note the greatest demand for student places is in Cork Regional Technical College. I ask her to ensure that request is acceded to.
The regional technical college sector was the subject of a review of how it was to be developed in light of the increased demand for places. I called for the review. The results are the subject of a study in respect of which I gave a promise to Deputy Wallace today. That is where future developments of the sector lie at present.
As to whether there was a fit of pique, the Deputy appears to have more local knowledge in that regard than I.
I try to keep myself informed of the position on a national basis.
I have access to good local knowledge, but when a Government Department is engaged in negotiations to purchase land which will be paid for with taxpayers' money, things do not happen as a consequence of a fit of pique. Either land is on the market and suitable or not.
It was on the market.
The price must be accepted by the Valuation Office.
The two prices should be compared.
This matter was not decided quickly, but I was assured that negotiations on that site would not result in a positive outcome. Because of a commitment to invest in the college I was then obliged not to be delayed by local fits of pique but to be in a position to acquire a suitable site to ensure that the development announced for Tralee Regional Technical College would progress. That is where the matter stands.
Written Answers follow Adjournment Debate.
