asked the Minister for Labour how much it has cost to date to acquire and equip St. Columb's Hospital, Killybegs, County Donegal, as a hotel college; how much State assistance has been given to the venture; when the college will become fully operational; and whether it is proposed to use the college as a hotel during the tourist season.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - County Donegal Hotel College.
69.
The cost to date is £143,357.
The County Donegal Vocational Education Committee agreed to raise a capital loan for the purpose on the understanding that Bord Fáilte would contribute approximately £52,000 towards the cost. The project was developed under the auspices of the Council for Education, Recruitment and Training for the Hotel Industry (CERT).
The school opened in October with 75 residential students attending courses in housekeeping, cooking and waiting. It will be fully operational next year and it will be operated as a hotel during the summer months.
Will the Minister agree that a third loan will have to be raised for the purpose of completing this work?
I would not rule out the possibility that it may cost more. This is a training school that has been blackguarded a good deal. Any money spent to provide training for a section of our people employed in an important industry where training is very much required and where their conditions will be improved and their status generally uplifted is very welcome. Donegal is a very good location.
Let me assure the Minister that I know nothing about its being blackguarded. I was merely interested in the cost.