Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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171. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the details of developments concerning the Longford-Westmeath educational training board taking over Columb Barracks. [18627/17]

Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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My Department is very supportive of better quality infrastructure for schools and further education and training provision and/or Head Office moves where such developments have the potential to facilitate overall savings or clear strategic benefits. However, this must be considered within the constraints of the many competing demands on my Department’s capital budget.

The potential for educational use of Columb Barracks site has been re-examined in the light of the opportunities which were recently set out.  

Unfortunately, the cost of acquisition and the significant investment that would be required for repurposing of the site rendered such a repurposing unaffordable given the competing demands for available funding.  My Department would not be in a position to prioritise funding to progress the project at this time.  

Of course, it remains open to the Education and Training Board to submit further material supporting the case that savings would accrue from the purchase of Columb Barracks or to explore any alternative more cost-effective options for educational provision which may be available.