Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I am aware of the great pride in tourism in Kerry. If I was not, I was made aware of it at the National Ploughing Championships yesterday, with the Kerry tent and all the people wearing "Come to Kerry" hats. It was quite something but you should come to County Wicklow too. I am very aware of the pride Kerry places in that.

This is a very exciting project. I will be honest. We would not be at this point if it had not been for Kerry Deputies. They have done an amazing job in putting forward projects. We are back in an era of being able to invest a lot in further education and training, but that requires people being able to come forward locally and regionally with good, sensible ideas and proposals. What has been done in this instance is brilliant. A derelict site was spotted that used to be a hive of activity and employment, which is lying derelict and, as the Deputy said, has perhaps been a symbol of decline in Killarney. People there said they could repurpose that site, put it to work for their local industry, provide educational opportunities for people, partner with local businesses, get things moving and give Killarney a presence, from a third level education point of view, that it has not had up until now.

Factually, the next step is that a business case is due by the end of the year. I was very honest when I was in Kerry. These are not small projects but are four- or five-year projects that were only announced a couple of months ago. However, I think we will have a further update by the end of the year that will see a little momentum behind this.

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