BREAKING: Minister Foley to make major announcement for Tipperary third level college

The Fianna Fáil Minister for Education, Norma Foley, was due this evening to launch the BA in Education, Home Economics and Business Studies course in Mary Immaculate College, St Patrick’s Campus, Thurles.

Local Fianna Fáil TD Jackie Cahill has described the commencement of this course as a “momentous day for education in Thurles”.

Minister Foley was due to visit Mary Immaculate College, St Patrick’s Campus with Deputy Cahill at 5pm for the official launch of the new course for Thurles and Tipperary, which will allow students to attain a post-primary teaching qualification in both Home Economics and Business Studies.

“It is a proud day for education in Thurles, as we launch the Home Economics course in the town. Thurles is one of only two locations in the country where this teaching degree is being offered, with Sligo being the only other option. This will allow for many more prospective students to avail of this very popular qualification locally.

“I am very grateful for the hard work of the Head of Campus in Mary Immaculate College, Thurles, Dr Finn Ó Mhurchú and the Chief Executive of Tipperary ETB, Bernadette Cullen on this initiative. I would also like to acknowledge the time and commitment given by then-Taoiseach Micheál Martin; the Minister for Higher Education, Simon Harris; the Minister for Education, Norma Foley; and the Minister of State for Higher Education, Niall Collins, who all personally attended various meetings in Thurles with me and senior Mary Immaculate College and Tipperary ETB management to secure this course for the region.

“This course is being offered in collaboration and consultation with Tipperary ETB and will see the educational infrastructure of this town maximised and enhanced over the coming years. This momentous day really is a game changer for third level education in Thurles. With this move, we have solidified a new, national reputation for Thurles as a ‘university town’, as we establish our educational hub as the ‘Maynooth of Munster’.”