Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 3 Dec 1996

Vol. 472 No. 3

Written Answers. - Sligo College Development.

John Ellis

Question:

129 Mr. Ellis asked the Minister for Education the action, if any, she proposes to take in order to provide the matching funding for the expansion of Sligo regional technical college; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22965/96]

John Ellis

Question:

196 Mr. Ellis asked the Minister for Education if she will immediately sanction the new library and administration block at Sligo regional technical college in view of the fact that the ratio of library places to students is 12 to one. [23275/96]

John Ellis

Question:

201 Mr. Ellis asked the Minister for Education, in view of her reply to Question No. 89 of 21 November 1996, that the matching funds from her Department are available to Sligo regional technical college for the development of a new library and administration block, if she will give sanction for the work to proceed. [23333/96]

Minister for Education (Ms Bhreathnach)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 129, 196 and 201 together.

A sum of £2.2 million remains available for investment in the new library-information technology and central administrations block at Sligo regional technical college under the National Development Plan 1994-99. A 25 per cent Exchequer component is included in this sum. The question of matching funds, therefore, does not arise in respect of this particular project.

As the cost of the project is in excess of £2.2 million, its additional funding requirement 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.