John Perry (Sligo-Leitrim, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 222: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the orders she has given with regard to the programme for development of the science block in Sligo Institute of Technology; the timescale involved; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24124/06]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The allocation of capital funding amounting to €900m to cover the period 2006-10 for the third level sector has enabled me to deal with a number of key priority projects in the sector. These projects were identified during the needs assessment and prioritisation work carried out by the Kelly Review Group, which reported in September 2004.

As a result of this allocation, in December 2005, I gave approval for a further 35 priority projects to be delivered. A total of 18 of these projects will be delivered by conventional procurement involving direct Exchequer funding while the balance of 17 will be delivered through the Public Private Partnership (PPP) process.

The Institute of Technology Sligo received approval to proceed with its Canteen and School of Science project. However, the management authorities at the Institute requested my Department to allow the refurbishment of the 1970 building to proceed ahead of the Canteen and School of Science project. The authorities indicated that the refurbishment project was well advanced in architectural planning and represented the single most critical priority for the Institute. My Department acceded to the Institute's wishes in this matter. The Canteen and School of Science project will be considered in the future.