Feighan Welcomes IT Sligo’s Investment Plan
- College gets green light from Planners
- 10,000 students by 2022
- Strong Sligo Campus investment vital for Sligo region in merger plans to create Technical University
The Minister of State at the Department of Health and local TD Frank Feighan has welcomed the news that IT Sligo has successfully secured planning at their Ballinode Campus to include a complete rebuild of ‘J’ block, turning the existing single-story building into a modern 4 story complex. The project is been part-funded under the 2040 Project Ireland plan which was incidentally launched at the IT Sligo campus 3 years ago by the then Taoiseach and now Tanáiste, Leo Varadkar TD.
“The ambition of the governing board and management is to increase student numbers to 10,000 by 2022 which is great news for Sligo town and local business” stated Minister Feighan.
“The on-going collaboration between LYIT and GMIT alongside IT Sligo towards Technical University status is gathering pace and this investment boosts the Sligo campus’s role in the overall outcome”.
“Block L will also boast a tiered seated theatre which will enhance the region’s cultural infrastructure. This development almost completes IT Sligo’s regeneration and transforms the old 1970’s style buildings into a modern 3rd level University campus fit for purpose. A large section of this new build will house the college’s online education and research facilities which presents great opportunities for growth”
“Great credit goes to the leadership of IT President Brendan McCormack who is greatly admired for his vision for IT Sligo, he is now spearheading a €35m investment with the help of government funding and the HEA and indeed from the IT’s reserves itself”, concluded Minister Feighan.