What we know as fresh update provided on Kilkenny's new third level facility

Local Fianna Fáil TD, Peter 'Chap' Cleere believes further progress needs to be made as a 'matter of urgency' to develop a further education and training (FET) third level facility in Kilkenny.

At present, the Kilkenny project is one of 12 across the country and has been approved to proceed to the pre-tender project design, planning and procurement strategy stage.

It’s understood it will be ready to tender by 2030 according to the Minister for Further Education, Marian Harkin.

Just over a year ago, the purchase of a site at Joinersfolly, south of Kilkenny City was announced with the finished developed expected to cater for up to 5,000 students.

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It’s anticipated the state-of-the-art facility will offer a full range of courses, including apprenticeships in what has been described as a 'College of the Future.'

At present, FET courses are scattered around 14 different locations in the city with students and parents pondering when the new single-site educational facility may be on their doorstep.

"We are ready to go. We just need a nod from the government to appoint consultants to get this project started," Deputy Cleere told the Dáil.

"This will be transformational for Kilkenny, the south east, and all the staff and students who currently use and potentially will use Kilkenny and Carlow ETB in the future," he added.

The former chairman of the Kilkenny-Carlow ETB argued geography should not put students at a disadvantage.

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"It should not matter where people live, what they are studying, or whether they are in FET or university.

"Everybody should have the opportunity to reach their potential and they should have that opportunity as close to their home as possible," the Carlow-Kilkenny TD commented.

"We have a brilliant facility in Carlow which is state of the art. It is top class. We need the same in Kilkenny and we need it now," he continued.

"With one in ten adults in Ireland now learning through FET or apprenticeships, the ongoing development of high-quality college environments is absolutely key," he said.

"I implore the Minister of State to pull out Kilkenny and Carlow ETB as a stand-alone project."

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