Ciarán Lynch (Cork South Central, Labour)
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Question 750: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the costs involved in developing the National Maritime College at Ringaskiddy, County Cork; the annual repayments and the annual operating costs; the design capacity and the current usage; if the college has been, or will be, used for purposes other than those originally envisaged; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27391/08]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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The construction cost of the National Maritime College (NMC) is €51.3m exclusive of 13.5% VAT. The Unitary payment for 2008 is €8.8 million and comprises of a set figure for repayment of the loan as well as operating, life cycle and maintenance costs.

The full-time capacity of the National Maritime College is 750 students, inclusive of Cork Institute of Technology and Naval Service students. Currently there are approximately 450 full time students, and 2850 students from the Naval Service and Cork Institute of Technology attending short-term courses.

The college is operated as a partnership arrangement with the Cork Institute of Technology and Irish Naval Service. The facilities that are provided include:

2 full ship's mission bridge simulators,

3 150° auxiliary ship handling simulators,

Liquid cargo handling simulator,

2 communication systems simulators

Engine room.

NMC's three-storey college buildings also provide lecture halls, classrooms, technical laboratories, engineering and marine workshops, sea survival training facilities — an indoor 'dunking pool' and helicopter simulator, sports and recreation amenities and a slipway and jetty fully-fitted with lifeboat launching equipment.

The college provides a 'one stop shop' for merchant marine and naval students, crew and officers and makes available the technology found on modern sea-going vessels. The college also generates third party income by hiring out its facilities and expertise to local community and sports clubs. International specialist firms and shipping lines also hire the unique combination of resources only available at NMC.