Vol. 533 No. 3
348 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for Education and Science if any consideration is being given to the provision of a third level educational facility in Lucan, along the lines of the Regional Technical Colleges in Tallaght or Blanchardstown, in view of the growth in the population of Lucan and the fact that the lands at Adamstown would provide an ideal location for such an institution. [8976/01]
There are no plans at present to establish a third level institute in Lucan.
The future development of higher education in the west Dublin region is guided by the recommendations of the steering committee on the future development of higher education, which the Government approved in July 1996 as a benchmark for future planning in the technology sector. In accordance with its remit, the committee reviewed the existing provisions and needs for higher education in specific areas. As a response to the higher education needs of west Dublin, the steering committee anticipated that Tallaght Regional Technical College and the provision of a new facility in the north-west region would serve the greater Clondalkin and Lucan region. This new facility, Blanchardstown Institute of Technology, was subsequently established in 1999 and was officially opened in November 2000.
