Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

The Minister of State appeared to be expressing criticism of the community group for not producing a feasibility plan. To be fair to the organisation in question, it has exhausted many avenues and contacted various Departments to secure funding to carry out a feasibility study. However, funding has not been forthcoming.

The chief executive and board of the Longford and Westmeath Education and Training Board are very interested in the barracks site. The problem is the board requires funding to do so. The barracks is located on a substantial land-holding, which contains a significant number of properties and buildings. The education and training board requires confirmation that the Department of Education and Skills would provide funding if it were to acquire the barracks. The board is paying a substantial rent to lease a premises for its headquarters in Mullingar. It must provide post-leaving certificate courses and apprenticeships. I ask the Minister of State to engage with the Minister for Education and Skills to try to reach an agreement that would allow the facility to remain in State ownership for the benefit of the community.

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