Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 16 Oct 1997

Vol. 481 No. 6

Written Answers - Capital Funding.

Brian O'Shea

Ceist:

54 Mr. O'Shea asked the Minister for Education and Science the capital funding allocated by his Department to Waterford Institute of Technology which has not yet been spent; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16588/97]

Brian O'Shea

Ceist:

89 Mr. O'Shea asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will list the applications for capital funding made by Waterford Institute of Technology, formerly Waterford Regional Technical College, from 1 January 1987 to date in 1997; the outcome in each case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16589/97]

Minister for Education and Science (Mr. Martin)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 54 and 89 together.

During the period referred to by the Deputy a very broad range of applications for capital funding was received by the Department of Education and Science from the Waterford Institute of Technology, formerly the Regional Technical College, Waterford.

Those received and approved included development of a multi-purpose centre, new staff accommodation (third floor block), atrium development phase I and canteen, atrium development phase II and central administration, refurbishment of Good Shepherd Convent phase I, internal refurbishment works, lecture theatres, acquisition of property to accommodate apprentice training programmes, and infrastructure works (roads etc.) in preparation for further developments.

In line with the Department of Education and Science's policy of having an ongoing rolling capital programme to address the provision of additional accommodation in the regional technical college sector, a further phase of development of the Good Shepherd Convent is at present under construction. In addition, the new library/information technology building, which is designed to be built in four stages, is at present at an advanced stage of the planning. Some £4 million has been set aside and remains available for stage 1 of this project.

My Department has also received a programme from the institute which sets out proposals for future developments. The proposals are for an immediate capital expenditure of £23.2 million with an additional £16.3 million required in the medium to long term. The proposed programme, in so far as capital investment is concerned, will be considered in the context of future available capital and the number of students to be catered for in the institute.