Michael Cahill (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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361. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the progress that has been made in the setting up of a hospitality education college at the former site (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55948/25]

James Lawless (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)
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SOLAS continue to support Kerry ETB (KETB) in the development of its Preliminary Business Case (PBC) proposal for Killarney under the FET College of the Future Major Projects fund. The proposal is one of twelve projects that are currently being progressed under this fund.

The proposal put forward by KETB under the FET College of the Future Major Projects fund aims to transform FET provision in Killarney in a state-of-the-art campus primarily focusing on skills development in Hospitality Training.

KETB is currently progressing a site option for the location of this new FET College. In this respect, SOLAS have been engaging with Local Authority and ETB officials to progress this matter. I have recently given approval for KETB to agree a price with the vendor and engage in the due diligence process for the preferred site.

In parallel to the work on the site, SOLAS are also supporting KETB in developing their PBC for the proposed infrastructure they would like delivered on the site. Once KETB have completed this business case, it will be submitted to SOLAS for evaluation.

My department and I remain committed to ensuring there is appropriate infrastructure in place to meet the needs of FET learners and teaching staff in Kerry and the wider region.