asked the Minister for Education the intentions of her Department and the Government regarding the provision of a regional technical college in Thurles, County Tipperary; if her attention has been drawn to the fact that the Mid-Western Consultative Committee recommended a regional technical college for Thurles in their submission to the National Development Plan, 1989-1993; and if it is the Government's intention to proceed with the development of a regional technical college in Thurles in conjunction with the National Development Plan, 1989-1993.
Written Answers. - Thurles (Tipperary) RTC Proposal.
119.
I am aware that the report of the Mid-Western Working Group noted that a regional technical college is proposed for Thurles. However, I wish to refer the Deputy to my speech to Dáil Éireann on the 1988 Estimates in which I announced my intention to establish an interdepartmental committee to examine, inter alia, the provision of student places at third level. The Government approved the terms of reference, operation and composition of the committee in March 1988 and they have met on a number of occasions since. Pending receipt of the committee's report a number of capital projects were deferred including the proposed regional technical college at Thurles.