No firm updates regarding Wexford campus
AS representatives from IT Carlow attended yesterday’s monthly meeting of Wexford County Council, it was hoped that they would bring with them a significant announcement regarding the proposed site of a new Wexford campus as part of the new Technological University of the South East (TUSE).
However, despite a lengthy discussion with elected members, there was little in the way of updates for the people of Wexford to sink their teeth into.
Having already seen deals for a couple of sites collapse, it’s been reported in recent times that a site stretching from Whiterock across to Killeens was the frontrunner for the new Wexford campus. However, IT Carlow President Dr Patricia Mulcahy offered no confirmation of this in yesterday’s meeting.
‘We’ve looked at many sites over the years and some have even reached contract stage,’ she said. ‘I’m very pleased to say that with the help of the council and Tony Larkin in particular, we have now identified a site and are at an advanced stage in the approval process involving the Board of Higher Education. We eagerly await the outcome of that approval process and once approval has been obtained, we will be able to engage with the owner of the site.’
While IT Carlow and Wexford County Council say that negotiations have been ongoing for some time, it’s reported that the owner of the site at Whiterock has had no contact with the institute since January.
An outspoken critic of a perceived lack of movement on the long-awaited Wexford campus, Cllr George Lawlor stated that six years was too long to wait and asked when realistically can we expect ground to be broken.
Dr Mulcahy seemed to sidestep the question and said that a timeline would be dependent on the source of funding provided. She said a ‘balanced’ assumption would be that the site can be acquired in Q3 of this year. Detailed design and the tender process could take up to 18 months. Beyond this, however, she said the timeline would be completely dependent on where the investment comes from.
This was another important point. Cllr John Hegarty asked is Dr Mulcahy was satisfied that adequate funds were in place for the initial phase of the new campus and that this won’t prove a stumbling block.
‘I don’t have any confirmation on that,’ Dr Mulcahy admitted. ‘The Minister has been hugely positive and has acknowledged the scale of investment that’s needed, but do we have the money in the bank right now? No.’
In recent times, Minister for Higher Education Simon Harris was unequivocal in his commitment to providing a Wexford campus as part of the new Technological University of the South East.
Cathaoirleach of the council Cllr Ger Carthy seemed a little unsatisfied with the outcome of the long awaited meeting with IT Carlow representatives.
‘We don’t have time on our hands as a county,’ he said. ‘There seems to be a lot of ifs and buts on funding streams for this in particular. Also, I was of the impression that the deal was just about done for lands within the curtilage of Wexford town. It seems now that there’s a job of work still to do here.
Dr Mulcahy replied that money was available to purchase the site at the market rate.
‘We have to be cautious until the sale is agreed,’ she said. ‘We did have a site secured in 2017 and a deposit agreed when the vendor withdrew. We do have a bit of a way to go. We do need to secure the funding for the first phase and any additional support on that would be welcome.’
When Cllr Carthy asked if the announcement of the procurement of the site was ‘imminent’, Dr Mulcahy replied: ‘I wouldn’t want to pre-empt any announcement from the Minister. I’m sure he will announce it when it’s ready and we will find out then.’