IT Carlow inaction on new campus is a ‘snub to Wexford’
DESPITE the availability of two prime sites in the Wexford town area, IT Carlow are still believed to be dragging their heels on the construction of a new multi-million euro Wexford campus, which is to eventually form part of a Technological University for the South East.
Mayor of Wexford, Cllr George Lawlor has been extremely vocal on the matter, having brought two available sites to the table for consideration - one at Slaney
Manor in Barntown and one at Killeens in Wexford town. However, he was left fuming after learning that the board of IT Carlow had contacted neither landowner with a view to discussing a deal.
‘I spoke to the owner of the site (at Killeens) yesterday,’ Cllr Lawlor said at last week’s meeting of Wexford County Council.
‘He has had not one single call from IT Carlow on the matter. I’m told from someone within the college that someone in management had listed out all the problems with the site, including things like electricity and sewerage. Killeens is a prime location in the heart of Wexford town and yet they were able to previously discuss a site across the bridge that was completely inviable.’
‘It’s clear IT Carlow has no interest in providing a campus in Wexford town. What they are doing is holding back the ambition of this council and students right across the county. We are providing the best possible sites and they are sitting on their hands. It’s time to call it what it is - a snub to Wexford.’
While usually the measured voice of reason, Chief Executive of Wexford County Council Tom Enright seemed somewhat baffled and frustrated by the inaction himself.
‘Again, I’m disappointed that no progress has been made,’ he said.
‘We had identified one site in particular (Killeens) and had given a planner’s report with all the details. We’re satisfied that these lands can be easily serviced. It’s also my understanding that they can be purchased within the budget allocated to the project back in October of 2015.’
‘I’m not sure why they are not engaging. It’s a far superior site to the one across the bridge. There is active pressure being put on and I hope by next month progress will be made on the matter.’
Cllr Lawlor was taking the view that enough is enough and called for the County Council Chairman to invited the President of IT Carlow to attend the next meeting of the council to explain exactly what the situation is.
All of the members were unanimously in favour of this and an invite was to be sent.