IT Carlow eyes two possible sites for new Campus

CHIEF Executive of Wexford County Council Tom Enright has confirmed that two Wexford town sites are under ‘active consideration’ by IT Carlow as a potential location for the institute’s long awaited new Wexford campus.

Having been touted as an option previously by the Mayor, Cllr George Lawlor, it is believed that the Slaney Manor site in Barntown is under consideration by IT Carlow management once again. This site has not yet been listed on the open market, fuelling rumours that a deal with IT Carlow could yet be in the offing. The other site said to be under consideration is even closer to town, near the Min Ryan Park in Killeens.

At yesterday’s (Monday’s) meeting of Wexford County Council, Mayor Lawlor once again raised the issue of a perceived lack of progress on the new Wexford campus, which is set to be included in the South East University project. Cllr Lawlor pointed out that numerous sites had been suggested to the management of IT Carlow, including Slaney Manor, however, it seemed little if any progress had been made.

‘They’ve had numerous proposals and they’ve come up with sites that were completely unworkable,’ he said. ‘In the meantime, the council has brought a university campus from Georgia Southern University to the town, but we don’t seem to be in a position to move forward on the campus for IT Carlow.’

Cllr Lawlor then suggested that perhaps the county could approach other third level institutes with a view to establishing a state of the art campus to be included in the South East University project.

‘We have a very strong relationship with Trinity College,’ Cllr Lawlor pointed out.

‘I’ve spoken to the Provost recently and it’s something of interest. Wexford is one of the most accessible counties in Ireland now with our new infrastructure. This is something that’s too valuable for the county to sit on our hands.’

‘It’s very important that this project moves forward,’ Mr Enright replied.

‘A planning application needs to be made as soon as possible. We’re hoping to have a large scale third level campus in Wexford soon.

‘I’m told that there are two sites under active consideration by IT Carlow in Wexford. I’m hopeful that one of these might be approved in the short term and that we’ll have a resolution to the issue.’