Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 12 May 2004
126 Mr. Timmins asked the Minister for Education and Science the position relating to St. Catherine’s College of Education for Home Economics; the position in regard to repeating an academic year; if students must repeat a year, if it will mean having to move to St. Angela’s in Sligo in view of the fact that the college is being closed for three years after this academic year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13924/04]
View answerThe 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 consultant's report was thoroughly examined in my 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 three years to facilitate students currently enrolled in the college in completing their course of training in the College.
My Department has commenced discussions with the management authorities of St. Catherine's with regard to making the necessary practical arrangements involved in the closure of the college. The position in relation to students who may have to repeat a year will be considered in the context of those discussions.
