Alan Farrell (Dublin Fingal, Fine Gael)
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843. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if a site has been identified for the Swords College of the Future, County Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36517/24]

Alan Farrell (Dublin Fingal, Fine Gael)
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844. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the timeline for project completion of the Swords College of the Future, County Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36518/24]

Alan Farrell (Dublin Fingal, Fine Gael)
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845. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills to provide an update on his engagement with the Dublin and Dún Laoghaire Education and Training Board in relation to the Swords College of the Future, County Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36519/24]

Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick County, Fine Gael)
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The Deputy will be aware that Dublin and Dún Laoghaire ETB (DDLETB) are being supported by SOLAS in developing their Preliminary Business Case (PBC) proposal for Swords under the FET College of the Future Major Projects fund. The development of a robust PBC is fundamental to the requirements of the Infrastructure Guidelines. The proposal put forward by DDLETB is one of twelve projects that are currently being progressed under this fund. The proposal put forward by DDLETB is expected to encompass the transformation of FET provision in the area by developing a state-of-the-art further education campus to drive economic growth and social development.

SOLAS and officials from my department met with all twelve ETBs including DDLETB, in April and May of this year, to discuss their proposals in the context of affordability, value for money and relevant regional and national FET policy objectives. ETBs were asked to refine their business case proposals to ensure it will deliver on their priority infrastructure requirements that will meet the needs of their current and future learners and staff.

The site preference for the Fingal College of Further Education and Training is Swords due to its population base and future growth projections. In this respect, officials from my department and SOLAS have been engaging with County Council and ETB officials to review site options to progress this matter. SOLAS is expecting to receive a site evaluation submission from DDLETB shortly.

In parallel to the work that DDLETB are undertaking in progressing their submission for a new site for their College of the Future in Swords, DDLETB are also working on refining their business case proposal and will have the opportunity to submit this proposal to the next evaluation meeting which is targeted for early 2025. Following evaluation, business cases that meet the evaluation criteria will advance to the next stage of development: Pre-Tender – Project Design, Planning, and Procurement Strategy.

SOLAS and officials from my department will continue to support DDLETB in the development of their proposal and I remain committed to ensuring there is appropriate infrastructure in place to meet the needs of FET learners and teaching staff.