Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 24 April 2018
224. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Minister for Education and Skills the status of capital funding for a college (details supplied) in view of significantly increasing student numbers on home economics teacher education and nurse education programmes; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that there is now a need for larger capacity classrooms and laboratories to accommodate students; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17707/18]
View answer225. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Minister for Education and Skills when funding for a link building project for a college (details supplied) will proceed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17708/18]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 224 and 225 together.
The number of students admitted to St Angela’s College, Sligo to follow the Home Economics initial teacher education (ITE) programme has increased from 85 to 101 for the 2017 student intake. Funding of €343,107.45 was allocated in 2017 to provide for capital works specifically to support this increase.
Further proposals for funding, including the project referred to by the Deputy, are currently under consideration by the Department in consultation with the Higher Education Authority (HEA). Officials from the HEA recently met with representatives from St. Angela's College to discuss these proposals and the capital requirements of the College in general. It is expected that an updated submission will shortly be forthcoming from the College.
Any proposal from a Higher Education Institution that is under consideration for capital funding will also be subject to detailed appraisal in accordance with the Public Spending Code.
