Vol. 539 No. 2
185 Mr. McGuinness asked the Minister for Education and Science if the submission regarding the funding of third level reach-out projects in Kilkenny and Wexford has now been approved; and if the announcement made by him in mid-2000 can now be implemented. [19294/01]
Last August I announced my plans to strengthen the education base in regions which are not well served at present and to establish effective links with higher and further education institutions. My intention is to address the related problems of non-completion at second-level and low participation rates in higher education, which are hampering development in these regions. I intend to put in place supports to encourage completion of the leaving certificate and to enable advancement to localised further and higher education opportunities.
Following my announcement, the Ferns diocesan authorities offered St. Peter's College, Wexford, as a location to facilitate development of a centre with higher education links. When I visited Wexford on 30 August last, I indicated that I was prepared to provide funding to establish a Reach-out centre at St. Peter's College. I indicated that I envisaged the proposed centre as having a local management body and a dedicated budget. I also identified the need for a project plan as a necessary preliminary to the establishment of the proposed centre. I suggested that a local co-ordinator-director be appointed to drive the project and draw up a project plan. At the request of the local steering committee, I asked the director of the Institute of Technology, Carlow and Wexford County Manager to submit a proposal to my Department in this regard, which they duly did.
I also met with local representatives in Kilkenny last August. Both the National University of Ireland, NUI, in Maynooth and the Institute of Technology, Carlow are involved in separate provision in the city. A detailed strategic plan for the development of the Kilkenny campus was sent to the Higher Education Authority. Pending discussions of the proposal with representatives of NUI Maynooth, the Higher Education Authority allocated £150,000 to the project in December 2000.
