Vol. 348 No. 8
asked the Minister for Education when, in view of the established need for a regional technical college at Thurles, she will grant approval to the County Tipperary North Riding Vocational Education Committee to purchase a site and commence the planning process for the regional technical college as this would greatly facilitate the building of the college when other finances become available.
515.
asked the Minister for Education when her Department will sanction the building of the proposed regional college at Thurles; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 514 and 515 together.
I would draw the attention of the Deputy to paragraph 6.17 of the Programme for Action in Education 1984-1987 where it is stated in relation to capital projects at third-level that "the provision of funds for capital purposes either by way of new buildings, extensions or equipment poses particular problems in view of the magnitude of the costs involved". Decisions in relation to the projects which may be given priority are made in the context of Government decisions with regard to the Public Capital Programme. It is not possible at this stage to sanction the purchase of a site for or to commence planning of the proposed regional technical college for Thurles.
