I will take this opportunity to not only highlight, but shine a light on the proposed college of the future on the former Kickham Barracks site in Clonmel and acknowledge the progress of the project in the context of the SOLAS major project process. It would be remiss of me not to acknowledge the Minister's steadfast support for the project as well. As the Minister knows, I wrote to him in March inviting him to come to Clonmel to see the site first hand. He is due to visit the site in the next number of weeks. I look forward to welcoming him to Clonmel. It should not be seen as just another major project. It is transformative in nature and involves the creation of Ireland's fully integrated further and higher education campus. I acknowledge the significance of this project for Clonmel, south Tipperary and the wider region. It presents a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to deliver a modern tertiary educational campus. I acknowledge all of the stakeholders involved at the local level, particularly Tipperary ETB, but also the local authority, local industry, the public representatives and the wider community. Importantly, this project reflects the ambitions set out by the Government on balanced regional development, skills provision and parity of esteem between further and higher education. I look forward to welcoming the Minister to Clonmel in early June. Seeing the scale and potential of the project first hand will underline its continued momentum and Government support. That is important as the project moves to the next phase. I acknowledge the work of Tipperary ETB, SOLAS and all of those involved to date as well as the Minister's steadfast support in particular. I look forward to seeing this flagship project continue to the next phase.

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