The issue of the future of St. Catherine's arose in the context of a decision by the Dominican trustees of St. Catherine's that, due to personnel and financial considerations, they were no longer in a position to fulfil the role of trustees of the college. Following discussions between the trustees and my Department, it was agreed that a consultant would be appointed who would meet with relevant parties and prepare a report on the options available for consideration by the Minister. The report of the consultant was presented to the Department in July 2002.
The consultant's report was thoroughly examined in the Department and the options for the future of the college were set out for my consideration. Having carefully considered all of them and having taken into account other factors such as the national spatial strategy, relevant costs in a time of financial constraint, a Government decision to restrict public service numbers, the need to secure value for money and a better allocation of resources, I decided that these considerations are best served by the closure of St. Catherine's and the designation of St. Angela's College, Sligo, as the sole centre for the training of home economics teachers.
The closure of St. Catherine's will be phased over the next four years to facilitate students enrolled in the college in completing their course of training in the college. It will also allow time to make the necessary practical arrangements, including the position of the staff of the college. In this regard my officials have already met with the trustees of the college and with the Irish Federation of University Teachers which represents the academic staff in the college.
I am not making the consultant's report available at this stage as I believe that access to it could have a significant adverse effect on the performance by my Department of its functions relating to management, including industrial relations. Furthermore, it could disclose positions taken, or to be taken, or plans, procedures, criteria or instructions used or followed, or to be used or followed, for the purpose of any negotiations carried on or to be carried on by or on behalf of the Department.
