Councillors struggle to set up meeting with Carlow IT chief

THE President of Carlow IT and her senior adviser have been told they can pick a date, any date to meet Wexford councillors and officials about the opening of a new campus of the technological college in Co Wexford.

At last week’s meeting of Wexford County Council it was revealed that County Secretary Pat Collins had written to Dr Patricia Mulcahy in late February seeking a meeting following a request by councillors. Dr Mulcahy replied that none of the dates suggested were suitable. She said: ‘I am happy to provide some reassurances to council members about Institute of Technology Carlow’s ongoing commitment and efforts to secure a suitable site for the future development of the Wexford Campus.’

She aid €2m has been ringfenced by the Department of Education and Skills for a site for Wexford Campus development. She aid efforts were made in 2016 and 2017 to secure a preferred site.

‘ This had the full support of both the Department of Education and Skills and the Higher Education Authority. Following the necessary due diligence, the Institute agreed the sale price, signed contracts and paid a deposit on the site it late 2016.’

She said the sale fell through. Since that time no other site has proven suitable, Dr Mulcahy wrote. ‘Despite these challenges, the Institute remains fully committed to the development of a new higher education campus in Wexford. In so doing, the Institute is articulating the ambitions and aspirations of our 1,000 learners, associate faculty, and 4,000 graduates from the Wexford Campus.’

Dr Mulcahy said the Institute has engaged external independent expertise to search for a suitable site.

Cllr Paddy Kavanagh said Carlow IT are looking for a site in Ferrybank. He said for €2m the Institute to get a lot more land in Enniscorthy to build their new campus.

‘We are in a better position from a geographical point of view. I don’t buy this view that every effort is being made to secure a campus in this county.’

Cllr Kavanagh said €2m wouldn’t be enough to buy half the land needed for a campus in Wexford town.

Cllr George Lawlor expressed his disappointment with the letter and that Dr Mulcahy isn’t coming before the council.

‘We are supposed to be working in partnership to develop a campus for Carlow IT for up to 4,000 graduates on a site that has to be cognisant of four areas of special conservation over a bridge that is congested with traffic. To me it’s ludicrous.’

Cllr Lawlor said the choice of the Ferrybank site is a stalling mechanism so the Institute doesn’t have to progress with the new campus yet.

‘Yet again we are being told that the president won’t come in here to meet us.’

He said Enniscorthy would be swamped if 4,000 students flooded into the town from an IT campus.

‘ The place for a third level campus is the capital town.’

Cllr Johnny Mythen asked if there was a way the council could solve the problem, possibly by offering some of its land to the Institute.

CEO Tom Enright said the piece of land the Institute is considering is in a very environmentally sensitive area.

‘I would hope that it would be possible to get zoning and planning, apart from the traffic issues. We were turned down for our greenway to Curracloe. We have made our views known to Carlow. They have to make their own decisions why they are pursuing the current piece of land.’

Cllr John Hegarty said: ‘Carlow IT are playing silly beggars with us.’

He said the finger of blame will be pointed squarely at Wexford County Council if the campus isn’t built.

He said Dr Mulcahy should be told councillors will meet her on a day of her choosing, along with her colleague John Moore.

Cllr Kavanagh said the Institute must be taking on wild geese for students if they are going to locate the campus in Ferrybank.