Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 19 Jun 2003

Vol. 569 No. 1

Written Answers. - Teacher Training Colleges.

Michael Noonan

Ceist:

83 Mr. Noonan asked the Minister for Education and Science if his attention has been drawn to the totally inadequate accommodation for students and staff at Mary Immaculate teacher training college in Limerick; if his attention has further been drawn to the development plan forwarded to his Department by the authorities at the college; the steps he intends taking to advance the development; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17279/03]

Minister for Education and Science (Mr. N. Dempsey)

A master plan setting out a framework for future development at Mary Immaculate College of Education was completed in 2001. My Department concurred with the basic thrust of the master plan and agreed to the appointment of a design team for a first phase of development at the college. The first phase will provide a multi-purpose teaching hall, phase 1(a), a new auditorium, phase 1(b), and teaching space, phase 1(c). It will also include infrastructure works. Architectural planning on these buildings has commenced.

The funding allocation for 2003 is based primarily on legally enforceable contractual commitments and architectural planning of all third level projects will pause at the end of their current stage pending clarification of the future funding position. I have decided that it is prudent to re-evaluate the overall position in relation to third level capital projects and establish priorities for future years. In this regard the Higher Education Authority, at my request, is undertaking a review of all capital projects in the third level sector to establish prioritisation and agree rephasing in preparation for a building programme in 2004 and future years.

The authority has established a working group and all relevant third level institutions, including Mary Immaculate College, have been invited to make submissions to this group on all their capital requirements. Decisions in respect of all third level institutions will be taken when the review is complete and the funding position for 2004 and the subsequent years is determined.