The question of when the Dublin Institute of Technology can occupy the lands at Grangegorman and establish its campus there is becoming a hoary chestnut. When the Dublin Institute of Technology was established in 1991, it began to look for a campus to consolidate the existing faculties. As the Minister of State is aware, the Dublin Institute of Technology operates its six faculties on ten acres of land spread across the city, north and south. In 1992, it identified Collins Barracks as a suitable campus. It was due to become available when the last vestiges of the Army located there pulled out. The Dublin Institute of Technology felt it would provide a fine campus, but it went instead to the National Museum which was crying out for accommodation at the time.
Subsequently, the Dublin Institute of Technology searched around and identified St. Brendan's in Grangegorman where the Eastern Health Board was divesting itself of many of the institutional care buildings as some patients were moved into the community. Approximately 70 acres of land were surplus to the needs of the health board and the Dublin Institute of Technology considered acquiring them. It appears an agreement with the health board was reached, in principle, for the transfer of the land for approximately £10 million. Plans and designs were drawn up and the Dublin Institute of Technology presented them to the community on a number of occasions. It explained that it would be a good neighbour in the Grangegorman-Stoneybatter-Oxmantown area. It indicated how it intended to move in to the faculties, starting with the music faculty.
It planned to build an auditorium, which would be available to the local community for functions. It was also intended that buildings for student accommodation would be among the first to be constructed. The Grangegorman lands are adjacent to Bolton Street college and Linen Hall and could be quickly linked to the faculty. The opening of the Broadstone Luas station would also make it an ideal area for public transport, enabling easy access for students. One of the important selling points for the community was access to the sports and recreational facilities in the Grangegorman area for locals.
Everything seemed fine. Unfortunately, that is how it has remained ever since. An interdepartmental committee was recently established by the Government to consider the matter, but this is a delaying mechanism. The cost of the land has escalated and everything is in the air in terms of what will happen. We have been assured all along that the Dublin Institute of Technology will get the land and that the campus will be constructed there. Some of the land may be put to other uses by the Department of Health and Children, but at this stage everybody's patience has been exhausted.
Time is running out for the Government. I am concerned that a decision will not be made or that this area will be taken up by big business for major property development because it is the last open space in the city. It would be great if we could have a decision on the matter which would confirm the situation once and for all. I look forward to hearing about the position and I hope the matter will be resolved.
