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Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 30 Jun 1998

Vol. 493 No. 3

Written Answers. - Institutes of Technology.

Austin Currie

Question:

463 Mr. Currie asked the Minister for Education and Science whether he will update the progress made on the Institute of Technology in Blanchardstown, Dublin 15; if he will confirm the intention to have 900 full time students on the campus in September 1999; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16035/98]

An establishment board has been appointed to complete strategic planning for a new institute of technology in Blanchardstown and to make arrangements for the commencement of courses. The board, assisted by a number of officers of my Department who have been assigned to support it, has made considerable progress in the development of strategic and operational plans.

A site for the new campus has been identified. This is part of a parcel of land to be developed as a Business and Technology Park by the IDA and Fingal County Council. Proposals for the infrastructural development and landscaping of the site are at an advanced stage. It is the intention that the first phase of the development of the new purpose-built campus will provide for 900 student places.

Plans being developed by the board envisage the commencement of full-time third-level courses in the institute in September 1999 with a number of national certificate and ab initio national diploma courses being offered in the areas of computing and information technology, electronics and computer engineering, mechatronics, business studies and business IT and languages. As the institute would necessarily begin with first-year students, the build-up to the full complement of 900 full-time student places under phase 1 of the purpose-built campus development would take place gradually over a number of years. The initial intake and the rate of build-up to full capacity depends on a number of factors, such as the approval of courses by the NCEA.

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