Tipperary TDs welcome connected campus announcement in Clonmel and Thurles

Tipperary TD’s Michael Lowry, Jackie Cahill and Alan Kelly all welcomed this week’s announcement by Minister Simon Harris of funding to develop connected campuses in Thurles and Clonmel.

Deputy Lowry, who was present at the announcement, said the investment in Thurles was €18 million and would accommodate 500 further education students.

“The linkage and synergy between Higher Education and Further Education is a massive step forward. This progressive move and investment in the Thurles Campus consolidates its future and gives the college a distinctive advantage in the sector,” said Mr Lowry.

He said it was great to see how far the college in Thurles had come from potential closure to the amalgamation with LIT.

He paid tribute to the work of LIT (now TUS) and the work at MIC together to make Thurles an education hub for the future.

“The management and the board of LIT are to be thanked and complimented for this massive practical endorsement of the Thurles campus. Together with the development of MIC, it makes Thurles an educational hub of excellence,” said Mr Lowry.

However, Mr Lowry said he is concerned about how the student accommodation crisis may affect Thurles.

“I have impressed on Minister Harris the need for student accommodation to meet demand. Government must financially support the college to provide on-campus accommodation centres,” said Mr Lowry.

ALAN KELLY
Labour TD Alan Kelly highlighted the preservation element of the Clonmel announcement.

“I very much welcome the recent announcement by Minister for Further Education Simon Harris of significant funding for educational institutions in both Clonmel and Thurles.“

The announcement of funding for the Kickham Barracks site is long overdue, and I’d like to congratulate all parties for persevering for so long in order to get to this point. It will be brilliant for Clonmel once completed,” said Mr Kelly.

He said the expansion announcement was positive news for Thurles.

“The announcement of funding for the extension of the TUS campus in Thurles is also very positive news and will see further and higher education being co-located on one campus, and this will allow students to continue their educational journey in the one location and this integrated approach is very welcome,” said Mr Kelly.

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JACKIE CAHILL
Fianna Fáil TD Jackie Cahill said he hopes this announcement will put Tipperary a step closer to being as attractive as institutions like Maynooth.

“Education in Thurles is going from strength to strength, and today’s announcement by Minister Simon Harris is further proof of this Government’s commitment to continued, sustained and long-term investment in education in our town.“

Step by step, we are firmly establishing Thurles and the educational options on offer here as the Maynooth of Munster”, said Mr Cahill.

Mr Cahill said that following a call by the Minister for proposals on further and higher education integration projects, Tipperary was the strongest.

He said Monday’s announcement was also important in the context of recent developments at MIC Thurles.

“With this move, we will see both further and higher education being co-located on one campus, providing the opportunity for students to continue their educational advancement and journey from one stage to the next.

“This positive news follows the recent significant announcement that will see Tipperary ETB working closely with Mary Immaculate College on their St Patrick’s Campus in Thurles in order to provide Home Economics teacher training in the town,” said Mr Cahill.