Thomas Pringle (Donegal South West, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I congratulate the Minister of State, Deputy Tom Hayes, on his appointment.

The Minister might not be aware that LYIT is in the process of preparing a three-year business plan to help it deal with its deficit. Active consideration is being given to relocating the Killybegs branch to the Letterkenny campus. That would have a detrimental effect on the seafood industry and would reduce the potential for developing links with BIM and the further development of the seafood business innovation centre on the Killybegs campus. It was for that reason that I raised the matter today. It is vital that a campus be maintained in Killybegs. The work of BIM, supported and encouraged by the Department, would ensure that the campus would continue to grow and develop. It is important that we send a signal to impress on the management of LYIT the need to develop and sustain the campus in Killybegs and to support the local seafood industry and its development. BIM has a representative on the board of governors and I urge the Minister to use his office to impress on them the importance of maintaining the facility in Killybegs.

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