Deputy Michael Lowry has given me notice of his intention to raise the failure of the Government to include the Tipperary Rural and Business Development Institute in the programme submitted for European Structural Funds for educational infrastructure. Deputy Lowry has five minutes to present his case.
Adjournment Debate. - Tipperary Institute Proposal.
I thank the chair for the opportunity. I would like to give one minute of my time to Deputy Theresa Ahearn with the permission of the Chair.
It is 11 years since the idea of having a third level college based in Thurles was first sponsored and proposed by Tipperary VEC. The case for the establishment of such a college is well documented and proven and was strengthened immeasurably by the revising of an interesting formula.
The rural and business development concept, developed by the promoters, means that it would make a unique contribution to Irish education by emphasising business opportunities in rural Ireland. Thurles town has been devastated with closures, rationalisations and redundancies. It has a frightening level of unemployment with rampant emigration. The town in mid-Tipperary is enveloped in an air of gloom and desperation. There is an ever increasing cynicism among very many who have witnessed the disintegration of the town.
The provision of the proposed college was seen as an economic lifeline. It would give an enormous boost to the educational, industrial, agricultural, economic and social life of the area. The benefits to be derived from having a third level college in Thurles are many and varied and would affect every single person living in the locality one way or another. The economy of the area would benefit directly through the employment of 100 staff with an average income of £15,000 per annum. Services in the area of accommodation, food, transport, clothing and entertainment would benefit from the presence of 800 students. The employment created by the establishment of the college would be permanent and long term and would create demand for private housing and ancillary services all to the benefit of local business.
Industry would benefit since companies would be more willing to locate in Thurles once the college has been established. It would provide research facilities for existing and potential industries. Agriculture and agricultural related business would benefit through better use being made of natural resources in the area and better management of agricultural facilities will come about through practical projects emanating from the college. The site is there. The leadership and structure are there and an enormous fund of goodwill exists. All we need is that the Government follow the lead given by the local people.
While understandably parochial in my attitude I must emphasise that this college is not just for Thurles; it is for Tipperary and for the young people of Ireland. The entire country is united in its desire to see this project become a reality. It is rare for any project to have received universal support from so many statutory and voluntary bodies as happened with the proposed college in Thurles. Regrettably, Fianna Fáil's attitude in Government to the RTC for Tipperary has been inexcusably negative. Every positive and constructive move has been made by Fine Gael in Government. Former Deputies, such as John Boland, Gemma Hussey and Paddy Cooney in their ministerial capacities gave the initial sanction for the college and went on to approve the schedule of educational courses and the purchase of the site.
The project has been abandoned on a number of occasions by Fianna Fáil Ministers for Education starting with the former Deputy Martin O'Donoghue in April 1982. The present Fianna Fáil led Coalition Government have eventually come off the fence and declared publicly their stance on this issue.
At election time in North Tipperary the electorate are reminded repeatedly of how important it is to have a voice and clout at the Cabinet table. On several occasions the public, including those of Thurles, have responded by giving generous support to Fianna Fáil and making it possible for Deputies O'Kennedy and Smith to enjoy ministerial status with as many attendant perks and privileges. Where were our two Ministers when the Minister for Education got Government approval for her programme under European Structural Funds for educational infrastructure? Why were they silent? Why did they allow the proposal for a third level college in Thurles to be excluded in the full knowledge that this funding was imperative and would not again be available until 1994? This effectively spelt the death knell of our project.
The Deputy has two minutes.
While our Ministers in North Tipperary were massaging the electorate, including responsible and sincere pressure groups, with empty, idle rhetoric and faint-hearted promises, the Government in which they serve had sanctioned the commencement of a college at Tallaght and approved a programme of expansion and development for existing third level colleges. By 1994 we in Tipperary will be told that the requirement for additional college places has been catered for.
Government policy in this regard was confirmed by the Minister for Education, Deputy O'Rourke, in an article in The Irish Times on 1 September 1990, when she stated that no further third level institutions would be built and that existing ones would be expanded to cater for increased demands. While I disagree totally with the views of the Minister for Education, I acknowledge that, unlike others representing the Government in my constituency, she has been honest and forthright in her approach and has put the facts before the people. While we are bitterly disappointed I can assure the House we will continue to fight for acceptance of our just and valid case.
A Cheann Comhairle, thank you for giving me the opportunity to support my colleague, Deputy Lowry, in his demand for the provision of the Tipperary rural and business institute in Thurles. This is a unique and a fresh approach to third level education. Throughout Tipperary it was regarded as an exciting challenge which was met with enthusiasm and much commitment by all the people in south Tipperary. It has come to us as devastating news that this college has not been included under the European Structural Funds for education infrastructure and that there will be no hope of this college being provided until after 1993. I ask the Minister to consider seriously the urgency for the provision of this college. I look forward to a positive response to the demand tonight.
First, I would like to say that the outline proposal for the establishment of the Tippeary rural and business development institute at Thurles was received in my Department on 1 March 1990. The Deputies will be aware that the National Development Plan 1989-93, which sets out the structural measures which Ireland proposes to implement over the five year period, in conjunction with the European Community Structural Funds, was submitted to the European Commission in March 1989. The Tipperary project which was submitted earlier this year could not, therefore, be included in this part of the plan.
In arriving at decisions on the projects to be included in the plan, and bearing in mind the financial constraints involved, priorities had to be set. Areas of particular need had to be specifically targetted and existing unsatisfactory facilities upgraded and rationalised. Deputies will be aware that in terms of higher education participation rates Tipperary is rated already above the average, coming thirteenth in the national order of participation according to the report "Who Goes to College", the Clancy report as it is popularly known.
Having said this I would like to assure the Deputies that the proposals submitted by Tipperaary's Vocational Education Council and county council have been considered in some detail by my Department. The main proposals are that the institute would be built on a site of the proposed Regional Training College in Thurles. It would cater for about 800 students and, like the Regional Training College proposal, would provide full-time and part-time third level courses orientated towards the needs of the rural and business community.
These courses would be at certificate, diploma and degree level and would be validated by the National Council for Education Awards. The management would comprise a board with broad representation from by Department, the Department of Industry and Commerce, SFADCo, Teagasc, Vocational Education Committees and other local interests. It is envisaged that capital and current costs would be the same as those arising in the case of an Regional Training College of similar size. This would obviously involve a major financial commitment, The new Regional Training College in Tallaght, for instance, is expected to cost approximately £15 million to build and could be expected to cost about £2.5 million in annual returned costs.
Deputies will be aware that in 1988 the Government, in view of the very difficult financial circumstances, deferred a number of capital projects, including the Regional Training College for Thurles. It was felt that to proceed would be inappropriate and that all other possible options in relation to additional productivity and student throughput would have to be carefully considered. The Government then approved the terms of reference, operation and composition for an inter-departmental committee of third level education. While this committee has not yet reported considerable progress has been made in the meantime in increasing the number of available third level places. Further progress is expected in this area and I will continue to keep under review the demand and supply situation.
In the meantime I propose to keep the Tipperary project under review in the Department. I will, of course, be happy to consider any further relevant information which the local authorities may wish to supply.
I will take on board the points made by both Deputies and will certainly have them considered. I am saware of the urgency of this project and I assure the Deputies concerned that every effort is being made to make progress in a structured way throughout the Department of Education.