Frances Fitzgerald
Question:55 Ms Fitzgerald asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources the progress, if any, made in establishing a national maritime college of education; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16598/99]
Written Answers. - National Maritime College.
The proposal to set up a new National Maritime College at Ringaskiddy, County Cork, was 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.
In order to progress the recommendations of the task force I established an interdepartmental expert working group comprising senior officials and technical experts from my Department, the Departments of Finance, Education and Science and Defence as well as representatives of the Cork Institute of Technology, the Naval Service and FÁS. The group is now completing its examination of the costings, financing and timing of the new college, including the possibility of funding the development through a public private sector partnership.