Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)

I am glad the Deputy has given me the opportunity to outline, on behalf of the Minister for Education and Science, the proposals of her Department concerning the proposed relocation of the Tipperary institute. A Government decision of 26 July 1995 authorised the establishment of the Tipperary Rural and Business Development Institute as a company limited by guarantee. The institute was duly incorporated under the Companies Acts on 26 March 1998. The institute is now functioning with a board of directors with a wide range of expertise drawn both from the private and public sectors, in accordance with its memorandum and articles of association.

The institute opened in 1999 as an alternative type of institution to the traditional third level model, with an emphasis on integrating mainstream thirdlevel education with activities designed to promote rural enterprise and community development. It is located on two campuses, one in Thurles and one in Clonmel.

On behalf of the Minister, Deputy Hanafin, I would like to outline the background to the proposed development. The existing campus in Clonmel comprises 21 acres and is owned by the Tipperary Rural and Business Development Institute, a limited company. The facility comprises a single-storey structure of over 1,800 sq. m., which consists of a lecture theatre, multi-media centre, classrooms, computer laboratories and office accommodation. The site was purchased with Exchequer funding in 1998, when I was Minister for Education and Science.

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