6. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science further to Parliamentary Question No. 11 of 8 October 2024, the status of the proposed new further education college in Galway city; if the revised business case, as requested, has been evaluated; to provide a breakdown of the €450 million national allocation over four years to four capital funding programmes announced on 14 February 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14544/25]
Sentiment score: 0.03
I wish the Minister the very best of luck in his new role. I do not know whether Deputy Harkin is taking this question. It relates to Galway and a campus of further education. I was delighted when this announcement was finally made in November 2022. It was announced that there would be an adult campus, a campus of the future. There is a great need for it because so many properties are being rented in Galway. I would appreciate an update on that because I think it is slipping.
Sentiment score: 0.35
I thank the Minister for the background. I have the background and I welcome that. My concern is that there is slippage as regards this project. The ETB in Galway is the second biggest in the country. It is unique in that it covers the Gaeltacht area and the islands. It has 19 post-primary schools and two community national schools and a huge amount of buildings rented at an enormous cost in an unsustainable manner for adult education. We were therefore delighted when this was announced. A preliminary business case was submitted and the ETB did everything right in January 2024. Then it was told to come back again. It was told to reduce its 25,000 sq. m to 10,000 sq. m, inexplicably. Then it was asked to reduce it further and it stood up and said, "No. Our vision was for 25,000 sq. m and now you are making us do it at 10,000 sq. m." Now I am not sure where we are in that regard. I ask the Minister to give some clarity as to when this will be delivered and the reason for the reduction.
Sentiment score: 0.12
I welcome that there is a date, but there is the history and the fact that the ETB was twice asked to revise downwards its plan and its vision. We attend regularly meetings on updates with GRETB. I keep calling it the old VEC. In any event, there is cross-party support for this. It looks like the ETB is being forced to accept the 10,000 sq. m, even though it was asked to reduce it even more. There will be a phase 2 sometime in the future. That was never anticipated. It was anticipated it would be all one project. And what is going into phase 2? Apprenticeships, the Irish language and the potential there to upskill people in the public sector because of the Official Languages Act and other legislation and because Galway is a bilingual city and because the Gaeltacht comes under the remit of what I call the VEC. For the life of me, I cannot understand what analysis was done as regards the request - the order, really - to reduce. April is the deadline for a "Yes" or "No" to the business case, is that it, and then the other steps come in?
Sentiment score: 0.09
79. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if the final business case for the redevelopment of Inis Oírr pier has now been received; and when approval will be granted to proceed with the project. [14535/25]
Sentiment score: 0.21
Baineann mo cheist le hInis Oírr, an chéibh atá ansin agus an fhorbairt atá beartaithe di. De réir mo thuisceana, tá dul chun cinn déanta, ach ba mhaith liom é sin a chinntiú ar an taifead, mar fuair an fhorbairt seo cead pleanála in 2008 agus tá sé ardaithe go mion minic agam ó toghadh mé ar dtús in 2016. An féidir leis an Aire an dul chun cinn a shoiléiriú dom agus é a chur ar thaifead na Dála?
Sentiment score: -0.19
Tuigim an fhreagracht atá ar an Roinn, agus ní mór don Roinn an jab a dhéanamh i gceart, ach táimid ag dul siar píosa fada go 2008. D'fhógair Tuairisc go raibh dul chun cinn iontach déanta. The Minister is now telling me that it is before his Department for a final decision. I understand from the very positive article in Tuairisc that a time has been set out for the work to start and to be completed. I understand that work is now to be completed in 2027 at the latest. There are conditions relating to the innealtóirí, the engineers, having Irish and so on and staying on the island. Is the Minister aware of that detail? An féidir leis tuilleadh sonraí a thabhairt dom ó thaobh an chonartha de? Cén uair a bheidh an obair ag tosú? Cén uair a bheidh sé críochnaithe? Céard iad na coinníollacha?
Sentiment score: 0.05
Maybe there is a mix-up between the islands. I understood there was a positive announcement for Inis Oírr and the extension of the pier.
Sentiment score: 0.28
Inis Oírr.
Sentiment score: 0.00
Bheadh sé tábhachtach soiléiriú a thabhairt dom.
Sentiment score: 0.00
Táim sásta leis sin. Tiocfaidh an tAire ar ais chugam.
Sentiment score: -0.28
84. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development further to Parliamentary Question No. 92 of 10 October 2024, the status of the development of Caladh Mór pier on Inis Meáin; whether the independent consultant has been appointed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14536/25]
Sentiment score: -0.07
Táimid ar ais arís go dtí na hOileáin Árann agus an uair seo Inis Meáin agus An Caladh Mór. An cheist atá agam ná has the independent consultant been appointed and can the Minister give us details? I will use the 18 seconds to ensure there is no confusion between this question and the last question. It has clearly been reported they are about to start their work on the céibh in Inis Oírr in the autumn. The Minister might clarify that in due course if he can today, ar eagla na míthuisceana.
Sentiment score: 0.04
I thank the Minister. The previous Minister took a hands-on approach on this and I am sure this Minister will too because of the utter frustration at the delay. If my frustration is evident, the Minister can imagine what we are enduring on Inis Meáin with business there - a number of businesses - and with the people on the ground. This was to be completed years ago and we are still at it. I welcome the fact there was a public meeting. That was on 19 March of this year just gone.
Sentiment score: -0.01
That is very welcome. The meetings that have taken place have been as a result of the previous Minister pushing the whole matter and taking a hands-on approach in relation to it. For my understanding, is it the position that the consultants have been appointed and are doing a preliminary business case all over again regarding this project? When will that preliminary project be ready? You cannot imagine how many times I and colleagues from Galway West have stood up on the floor of this Dáil and then gone to meetings that are utterly frustrating because we do not know where we are going with it.
Sentiment score: 0.08
Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire. Luaigh sé An Caladh Mór agus Céibh an Chóra, agus tá an ceart aige, ach ní thuigim cad atá tarlaithe. Tá a fhios agam go bhfuil castacht i gceist. Tá a fhios agam é sin agus ní saineolaí mé ach táimid ag dul timpeall i gciorcal an t-am uilig agus ar ais arís anois go dtí an tús agus an preliminary business case. Ar a laghad tá sé ráite ag an Aire anois gur naoi mhí atá i gceist. Nine months - a woman cannot hear the words nine months but we think of a pregnancy. Hopefully, at the end of the nine months there will be a delivery of something substantial in relation to this. What is the further plan after the preliminary case is ready in nine months' time? I welcome the fact the Minister is going to take a hands-on approach. I do not look forward to the next meeting with muintir Inis Meáin agus an lucht gnó ansin. Tá siadsan thar a bheith corraithe ó thaobh an easpa dul chun cinn.
Sentiment score: 0.07