Vol. 480 No. 3
77 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Education if he will examine the need for an regional technical college in north Kildare; if he will carry out an assessment to quantify the need for such a college in view of the ever increasing industrial requirements in the area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14181/97]
The steering Committee on the Future Development of Higher Education was asked to examine "within the overall national context. the needs for higher education on a regional basis.". Following its examination of Dublin and the surrounding counties, the committee recommended Blanchardstown, Dublin 15 as the appropriate location for the establishment of a new regional technical college to serve the north, north-west and north-east Dublin regions as well as growth areas in County Meath and County Kildare.
In the light of the steering committee report, which was accepted as a benchmark for future planning in the sector, a decision was taken to establish an regional technical college at Blanchardstown. My Department is in negotiation with Fingal County Council regarding the acquisition of approximately 45 acres of land as a site for the college.
A planning group is currently undertaking the development of a strategic plan for the college which includes, inter alia, industry links, support services and research and consultancy. The courses at certificate, diploma and degree levels will focus on the needs and the human resource requirements of leading-edge high technology industries and on languages, business, science and engineering fields.
The new regional technical college will initially cater for around 1,000 students.
