Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 27 February 2024
7. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the up-to-date position regarding the development of a facility in Killarney (details supplied) as a new training centre of excellence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9011/24]
View answerThe Deputy will be aware that over the course of 2023, Kerry ETB (KETB) were supported by SOLAS in developing their Preliminary Business Case (PBC) proposal for Killarney under the FET College of the Future Major Projects fund. The development of a robust PBC is fundamental to the requirements of the Infrastructure Guidelines.
KETB submitted their business case for their FET College of the Future major project to SOLAS in January of this year. Their proposal plans to take a derelict site in the town and re-purpose and transform it into a state-of-the-art campus. The proposal is to develop the site into a Specialist Centre of Skills Development in Hospitality Training, while supporting Renewable Energy and Sustainable Green Technologies.
The Kerry proposal is one of twelve FET College of the Future major project proposals that a re now being considered by SOLAS and my Department under criteria such as value for money, affordability and strategic policy and priority alignment. These business cases will also need to be evaluated in line with the requirements of the infrastructure guidelines.
SOLAS will work closely with relevant ETBs including KETB in progressing their FET College of the Future Major Project fund proposals to achieve the development of required infrastructure that meet the needs of their FET learners.
Capital investment in the FET Sector remains a key priority for me. In this regard, Kerry ETB have also being successful under the Strategic Infrastructure Upgrade Fund (SIUF) for two proposals which will see the refurbishment and upgrade of existing accommodation at their Listowel Campus and provision of additional accommodation at their Monavalley Campus in Tralee.
