As these are two oral questions being taken together, 12 minutes will be allowed. However, there is still a one minute time limit on supplementary questions and answers.
Ceisteanna–Questions. Priority Questions. - National Maritime College.
Jan O'Sullivan
Ceist:7 Ms O'Sullivan asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources when he will establish the National Maritime College as promised in the review of An Action Programme for the Millennium; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8198/00]
Deirdre Clune
Ceist:40 Ms Clune asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources the progress, if any, on setting up the National Maritime College in Ringaskiddy, County Cork, to be used by the Navy for education and training; and the timescale for its commencement and completion. [7905/00]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 7 and 40 together.
As the Deputies may be aware, the establishment of a new National Maritime College with combined seafarer training facilities for both the Naval Service and the Cork Institute of Technology was the key recommendation of the Task Force on Seafarer Training and Employment. The task force stressed that more detailed costings would be necessary before the project could proceed.
An expert interdepartmental working group was subsequently set up to examine the costings, financing and timing of the new National Maritime College, the establishment of which is a commitment in the Government's An Action Programme for the Millennium, as reviewed in November 1999. The group recently completed its work and submitted a comprehensive report to me, including an independent consultancy study on the feasibility of establishing the college through public private sector partnership arrangements. A fully developed and costed proposal for the construction of the college will be presented to the Government shortly.
One newspaper reported that the college will be established in Galway. How long will the additional study take? This question was asked on 10 February and the reply suggested that the final report was due shortly. Is the Minister of State saying the Department has received the report and that a further study will take place? Is there any truth in the suggestion that the college has been designated for Galway?
That report was incorrect as I mentioned Wexford. The Deputy can be assured that the college will be located in Cork.
What about County Louth?
We will consider County Louth in the decentralisation programme. The college is a major step forward and we want to ensure that we get it right. Every Member would wish to see the proper facility being put in place because this innovation will be of tremendous benefit to the industry which has great potential. We will consider and respond to whatever reports are necessary and, if required, we will undertake further reports. However, we intend to progress the National Maritime College as quickly as possible.
I was under the impression that the college was to be located in Cork. There was an announcement during a Cork by-election that a maritime training college was to be established in Ringaskiddy, so the people of Cork are prepared for it. However, I was hoping the Minister of State would have more positive news and I am disappointed to hear him use the word "feasibility". The college was announced in the Government's action programme so I would have thought that we would be beyond the feasibility study stage. I had hoped that plans would be more definite at this stage and I am concerned that the report may be rejected by Government. Can the Minister of State give an assurance that the Government intends to proceed with the college in Ringaskiddy? However, it is more important that we go ahead with this important maritime college.
The proposal to develop the new National Maritime College to train civilian and Naval Service personnel arose because of the poor state of current facilities. These facilities are located at the Cork Institute of Technology's nautical training centre and need to be complemented. However, because current facilities are in such a poor state, we felt that it was important to get it right. That may take some time but we will get it right. I assure Deputies that the college will be located in Cork and that we will progress it as quickly as possible.
Does the report mention a particular site or will we have to source a site?
It would be wrong to suggest that there is or is not a site because all sorts of crazy things happen when it is made known that we are seeking a site. I assure the Deputy that fairly substantial progress has been made with regard to the acquisition of a site.
When will the report go to Government?
The report will be available to the Department in mid June and I hope we will be able to make decisions from then on. I know that the Deputy wants to see blocks on site.