Vol. 529 No. 1
1307 Mr. McGuinness asked the Minister for Education and Science the progress in the appointment of a director to the third level project in Kilkenny city; if a date has been set by which the appointment will be made; when the secretarial staff will be recruited; if a response has been given to an urgent request for funding lodged in December 2000; when an allocation is likely to be made; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2443/01]
I met with representatives of interested parties in Kilkenny at the end of August to discuss the further development of the outreach service in the city. My Department forwarded a detailed proposal from NUI Maynooth on a strategic plan for development of Kilkenny outreach campus to the Higher Education Authority and the authority has been discussing the proposal with the university, including the issue of the staffing involved. The Higher Education Authority has now provided its advice to my Department on the outcome of these discussions and my officials are considering the proposals, including the appointment of a director, in the light of the authority's advice. I confirm that the Higher Education Authority allocated £150,000 in December 2000 towards the cost of the project.
