Vol. 506 No. 5
252 Mr. Kenny asked the Minister for Education and Science the area leased by Galway-Mayo Institute of Technology from the Western Health Board at St Mary's Hospital, Castlebar, County Mayo; if agreement has been reached between the institute and the health board for the purchase of the remainder of the entire complex; if he will sanction moneys to allow for the purchase of the entire complex; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15947/99]
The total area leased by Galway-Mayo Institute of Technology at St. Mary's Hospital, Castlebar is 18.5 acres. This includes buildings comprising approximately 7,200mf7>2, of which 600mf7>2 has been refurbished.
A proposal has been received by my Department from Galway-Mayo Institute of Technology seeking funding towards the acquisition of additional property at St. Mary's Hospital, Castlebar from the Western Health Board. The proposal is currently under consideration by my Department's planning and building unit.
253 Mr. Kenny asked the Minister for Education and Science if the targets set for the Galway Mayo Institute of Technology complex at Castlebar, County Mayo, have been achieved three years ahead of schedule; the figures for full-time and part-time students; if he has satisfied himself with the results and performance to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15948/99]
The Castlebar campus of Galway-Mayo Institute of Technology (GMIT) began operations in 1994-95 with a full-time enrolment of 119 students on three national certificate courses in business studies, construction and computing. The enrolment for 1998-99 was 628 full-time students on 11 courses and 1,000 part-time students. At the outset it was envisaged that the full-time enrolment would reach 750 to 800 by the academic year 2002-03. The institute's current academic plan projects an enrolment of 754 students for 1999-00 and an enrolment of 1,000 students by 2002-03. This would indicate that the original targets set could be achieved three years ahead of schedule. The Deputy will appreciate that this is only made possible by the very signifi cant funding made available to the institute by this Government.
The Castlebar campus of GMIT has performed as follows. Demand for places at the Castlebar campus is quite strong particularly for the new and novel courses developed there in such areas as rural heritage, outdoor education and leisure, computing and information technology, all of which complement the programmes available at GMIT's main campus at Galway. The Castlebar campus of GMIT is also an active participant in the national effort currently under way to address skills shortages in key areas of the economy. The innovative and exciting developments taking place at Castlebar are enhancing the quality and excellence of the institute as a whole.
The above information indicates that the campus is meeting the requirements of the technological sector and of the region that it serves.
