Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 21 Nov 1996

Vol. 471 No. 8

Written Answers. - Sligo Regional Technical College Funding.

Declan Bree

Question:

89 Mr. Bree asked the Minister for Education if her attention has been drawn to the fact that the chairman of the governing body of Sligo regional technical college has stated that a sum of £2.6 million European Regional Development Fund/Structural Funds has been allocated to Sligo Regional Technical College for the development of a new library and administration block, that her Department is refusing to provide matching funds of £2.6 million for the development and that there is a danger that if the Exchequer funding is delayed, the EU structural funding could be diverted elsewhere; and if she will make a statement on her Department's proposals for the further development of the college. [22376/96]

Minister for Education (Ms Bhreathnach)

As I indicated in my press release of 13 January 1994, £3.7 million was allocated for capital developments at Sligo regional technical college under the National Development Plan 1994 to 1999. This amount comprises 75 per cent and 25 per cent EU and Exchequer funds respectively. To date, £1.5 million of the allocation has been expended on the upgrading of the science laboratories and on improving the infrastructure of the college. The balance, amounting to £2.2 million, remains available for investment in information technology and central administration facilities.

The Exchequer component of the £2.2 million has also been put aside for the project. In these circumstances there is no danger of the EU funds which I have allocated to Sligo regional technical college being diverted elsewhere. I am aware however that the cost of the entire project is in excess of £2.2 million. The additional funding requirement for the project is at present being considered by my Department in the context of the 1997 Estimates. However, decisions in respect of the provision of any additional capital funding or with regard to the phasing of the project will have to be taken in the context of other priorities and overall resource constraints.

Declan Bree

Question:

90 Mr. Bree asked the Minister for Education the amount of funding allocated to Sligo Regional Technical College for capital works in each of the years from 1993 to 1996; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22377/96]

Minister for Education (Ms Bhreathnach)

The following are the amounts of capital funding which were allocated to Sligo regional technical college in each year from 1993 to 1995 and to 31 October 1996:

	£
1993	823,228.58
1994	1,798,061.22
1995	568,723.77
1996	1,591.859.62
(to 31/10/96)
Total	4,781,873.19

The projects on which these amounts were expended included upgrading of science laboratories, infrastructures improvements, technology building, multipurpose centre, equipment upgrading, health and safety works, and land purchase.