Paul Kehoe
Question:309 Mr. Kehoe asked the Minister for Education and Science if he received a report on the third level education campus in St. Peter's College, County Wexford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26546/03]
Written Answers. - Institutes of Technology.
In November 2002, the Institute of Technology Carlow submitted to my Department a plan for the development of an outreach centre based in St. Peter's College, Wexford. The plan was discussed with officials of my Department and approval has been given to Institute of Technology Carlow to offer, on a pilot basis, a number of courses at St. Peter's and in Gorey as part of the institute's outreach activities in Wexford.
On the physical development of St. Peter's, the position is that in November 2002 I announced a pause in relation to all capital development in the third level sector pending clarification of the future funding position. I decided that it was prudent to re-evaluate and review the overall position in relation to third level capital projects and to establish priorities for future years.
This review is currently being carried out by the Higher Education Authority, at my request, in order to assess the entire set of demands in all publicly funded third level institutions, to establish prioritisation and agree rephasing. Decisions in respect of capital projects at third level institutions will be taken when the review is complete.