Liam Aylward
Question:309 Mr. Aylward asked the Minister for Education and Science the funding recently announced to meet the cost of developing the Kilkenny outreach campus project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32387/01]
Written Answers. - Educational Projects.
I have agreed to fund NUI Maynooth's ReachOut Centre in St. Kieran's college, Kilkenny, as a pilot project for a five year period. The level of funding being provided to the centre this year is £198,000. NUI Maynooth has been requested to develop a five year strategic plan for the facility at Kilkenny, which will, inter alia, examine the potential for expanding the existing range of programmes on offer. This pilot project, including the range of programmes offered, will be the subject of a comprehensive evaluation and the initiative will be reviewed in the light of the experience gained at the end of the five year period. The level of funding for the centre for the remaining years will be a matter for consideration by my Department in consultation with the Higher Education Authority. The question of providing capital funding for the centre will be considered on receipt of suitable proposals.