Dublin Fingal TD, Alan Farrell, has raised the need for long term investment in further and higher education in Fingal as well as training and upskilling facilities. Deputy Farrell raised the issue with Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, Simon Harris in Dail Eireann this week.
Deputy Farrell said, “Swords offers the Department and the Government a real opportunity to make a significant impact in further and higher educational facilities. Swords’ population will reach 100,000 by most estimates, in the next decade. Such a young and growing population, and that of other towns in Fingal must receive the necessary facilities to support them.”
“We need to develop skills to meet our climate action targets, such as retrofitting, our housing targets and many emerging technological skills necessary to continue the development of the entire nation.”
“We’ve made progress in recent months and years in this field, notably the opening of a new FET in Swords, Burgundy House and ‘The Plaza’ facility in Balbriggan, opened in 2019. This is on top of the increased budget of €430 million for new capital projects with 45% of this funding going toward FETs.”
Deputy Farrell continued, “Minister Harris reconfirmed his commitment to Swords and to Fingal in meeting the needs of the community. He also confirmed that work has begun on the development of the second set of 3 year Strategic Performance Agreements between SOLAS and the 16 ETBs.”
“Significantly, the Minister also confirmed that a FET College of the Future project business case for Fingal has been included in the county development plan and this will include an integrated college structure and campus in Swords.”