Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 20 Feb 2001

Vol. 530 No. 6

Written Answers. - Third Level Projects.

John McGuinness

Question:

428 Mr. McGuinness asked the Minister for Education and Science the funding which was allocated to the Kilkenny third level outreach project arising directly from his announcement in Kilkenny in summer 2000 and excluding the £150,000 granted by the Higher Education Authority from the targeted fund for mature students; if an outline can be given to the response from the Department regarding an urgent request for funding made at Christmas 2000; if a director and secretariat will be appointed; if so, when; his views on whether there is a lack of focus or drive being displayed by his Department in relation to the project; his further views on whether this is harming the take up of third level education in the region; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4787/01]

Minister for Education and Science (Dr. Woods)

As the Deputy will be aware, the Higher Education Authority has, at the request of my Department, considered a detailed proposal from National University of Ireland, Maynooth on a strategic plan for the development of Kilkenny Outreach Campus. Following its discussions with the university, the authority provided detailed advice to my Department at the end of January 2001 and my officials are currently considering this advice. The question of the level of ongoing funding for the project is being considered in this context. The Higher Education Authority allocated £150,000 in December 2000 to the project.

On the question of the appointment of a director, the university has recently appointed a campus manager, who is charged with responsibility for the day-to-day operation of the outreach campus. Given the current stage of development, the university considers that it may be more appropriate to drive the project through the office of a campus manager while acknowledging that the long-term future and development of the project can best be conducted by a campus director.

Every effort is being made by officials of my Department to finalise proposals for this project. I understand that 26 students have registered for the BA in local and community studies at the Kilkenny campus in the current academic year, bringing the number of students registered on the programme to 76 currently.