Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 23 Mar 1999

Vol. 502 No. 3

Written Answers. - National Maritime College.

David Stanton

Question:

133 Mr. Stanton asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources the progress, if any, made following the Government's announcement to establish a maritime and training institute in Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8080/99]

Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources (Dr. Woods)

The proposal to set up a new National Maritime College at Ringaskiddy, County Cork, is a key recommendation of the Task Force on Seafarer Training and Employment which I established in February 1998.

In its final report presented to me in October 1998, the task force stressed that more detailed costings would be necessary before the National Maritime College development could proceed.

Government approval in principle to the development of the new National Maritime College for Cork announced in October 1998 was further underpinned by the allocation of £200,000 to my Department to advance work on the costings and scheduling, for the new college.

To progress the recommendations of the task force, an interdepartmental expert working group has been established. The group comprises senior officials and technical experts from my Department, the Departments of Finance, Education and Science and Defence, as well as representatives of Cork Institute of Technology, the Naval Service and FÁS. The group will examine the costings, financing and timing of the new National Maritime College with a view to submission of a fully developed proposal for implementation to Government.

It is my intention that the group's work be progressed as quickly as possible so that the Government approval in principle can be given tangible effect in terms of an implementation plan and time frame.