Edward Timmins (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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280. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to reinstate and develop in-person courses on the Clermont Campus in Wicklow; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22111/26]

James Lawless (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)
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I wish to advise the deputy that the Clermont Campus, Co Wicklow is not a publicly funded higher education provider or campus within the remit of my Department.

It is my understanding that Clermont Campus, or more precisely Clermont Screen Hub, is supported by Wicklow County Council offering private and co-working spaces aimed at boosting job creation and supporting local businesses operating in the film and audio-visual sector. It provides support to the content creation sector and complements the film industry, with a particular focus on businesses servicing productions happening in County Wicklow.

Prior to the establishment of South East Technological University in 2022, one of SETU's constituent parts, Carlow Institute of Technology, rented collaboration space in Clermont Campus for the provision of part-time online life-long learning courses funded through the Springboard programme. SETU has advised my officials that post-pandemic enrolment numbers declined for this specific programme and were not sufficient to ensure the viability of this into the future. SETU independently continues to rent a small office within Clermont Campus and works with the Wicklow Skills Strategy Group towards sustainably meeting local needs.

Expansion of the services offered at Clermont are purely a matter for the local management committee and is not within my remit to develop or re-instate course provision for further or higher education for this Campus.

However I am very supportive of the important work being undertaken collaboratively in the Wicklow area by this committee supporting spaces to enable innovation and local businesses operating within the audio visual and film sectors which supports our recognised talent and excellence internationally within these creative professions.