Prior to 1997, a UCD sociologist, Pat Clancy, prepared a report which indicated that the south-east had the lowest take-up rate of third level places. The report also highlighted that Kilkenny had the worst rate in the region. In response to this report, and encouraged by Mary McAleese and Queens University, in 1997 a local group in Kilkenny set about correcting the problem and establishing a third level outreach centre. NUI Maynooth and Carlow Institute of Technology now participate in a group which delivers third level courses in the region, mainly at St. Kieran's College, Kilkenny, under the chairmanship of Pat O'Neill. A total of 120 students participate in these courses, 76 on BA courses, 13 on a special needs course, 15 on a youth and community course and 16 on a local history course.
The former Minister for Education and Science, Deputy Martin, visited Wexford and Kilkenny in August 2000 where he made the welcome announcement that the Government was to fund a director and secretariat for the project. He also announced that it was to provide funding up to and beyond Christmas 2000 and that NUI Maynooth was to create or agree the job specification for the director.
However, with the exception of £150,000 allocated by the Higher Education Authority to NUI Maynooth, the total package has not been delivered. The Wexford media have highlighted that this is to the annoyance of those involved in St. Peter's College. This fact is also to the annoyance of the steering committee in Kilkenny.
The project is currently funded by NUI Maynooth, the local authority, local businesses and voluntary funds. In its report on outreach centres, the Higher Education Authority acknowledged the Kilkenny model as the most appropriate and worthwhile. The model delivers third level education in an efficient and economic manner. The method is economic for the Government as it utilises the entire education infrastructure and it is economic for students as it cuts out travel and accommodation costs.
The project makes sense when one considers developments in communications and information technology and the fact that there is no university in the south-east. A project such as this must be developed organically, based on the demands of students and adults who wish to continue their education, and on the needs of local or regional commercial interests.
The project is provided on an outreach basis. However, it also reaches out to the community. The project must be flexible and be able to adapt to meet the needs of the day. The project has strengthened the overall profile of Kilkenny and gives added value to efforts to develop a 60-acre digital park and other indigenous industries. The loss of the project would be unthinkable.
The Department and the Minister should act on the commitments given in August 2000, respond to an application for funding made in December 2000 by the steering committee and appoint a director and secretariat forthwith. They must also fund the director to enable the project to draw together all third level courses being delivered in Kilkenny and to develop and encourage the take-up of third level places, reversing the trend in the south-east. Will the Minister respond to all the commitments given and give an undertaking that this project will be funded in future?