Vol. 544 No. 3
479 Mr. Creed asked the Minister for Education and Science if his attention has been drawn to the inadequate library opening hours and computer facilities on campus at Dún Laoghaire Institute of Art, Design and Technology; his proposals to resolve these matters; and if a capital allocation will be made available to the institute to improve these facilities. [28824/01]
Dún Laoghaire Institute of Art, Design and Technology is a statutory body established under the Regional Technical Colleges Acts, 1992-99. Under these Acts the governance and day-to-day activities of the institute, including library opening hours, are matters for which the governing body and the management of the institute are responsible. It would not, therefore, be appropriate for me to intervene in such matters.
My Department has an annual provision to address, on a priority basis, the capital needs of all third level colleges, including the provision of equipment. A total amount of £955,564, 1,213,316, was approved in 2000 towards the cost of loose furniture and equipment for the restaurant and library buildings at Dún Laoghaire Institute of Art, Design and Technology. The institute has drawn down approximately £686,700, approximately 871,929, of these moneys to date and the balance will be paid to the institute upon receipt of appropriate invoices and confirmation of compliance with procurement procedures.
In addition, a devolved grant of £171,800, 218,141, for small capital works was issued to the institute last year to spend at its discretion. My Department's building unit will continue to work closely with Dún Laoghaire Institute of Art, Design and Technology to ensure that all priorities identified by the institute are addressed in the context of available funding.
