Go ahead given to proceed to the design stage for college campus in Clonmel

Another step towards the establishment of a College of The Future in Clonmel has been taken.

The Minister for Further and Higher Education Patrick O’Donovan on a visit to Clonmel announced that the Tipperary Education and Training Board had been given the green light to proceed to the next phase of the development of a College for the Future.

He made the announcement, without making any detailed statement on the cost of the project, at the Kickham Barracks site.

The hope among ETB personnel leading the project is that the detailed design stage will be completed to allow the project to go to tender in 2025.

If the planning process and all other issues run smoothly it is expected that the new build element of the project on the site will begin in early 2026.

The Kickham Barracks project will allow the ETB to locate all operations on the site which at the moment are placed in seven different locations around the town.

Stakeholders are looking at funding being provided on a phased basis for a project that could take approximately five years to deliver.

The project will involve a multi-million euro investment to develop the Kickham Military Barracks site in Clonmel, and for the first time create a college which will host both further and higher education students.

“I am so delighted to be in Clonmel to confirm that Tipperary ETB is moving to the next stage in the process of delivering a training campus that the entire region can be proud of,” said Minister O’Donovan.

“In fact, this announcement is especially significant, as this will become the first co-located and fully integrated FET and Higher Education campus in Ireland.

INNOVATION

“Tipperary ETB, working closely with Technological University of the Shannon, presented a bold vision to develop Clonmel Connected Campus, and I want to thank them for the collaboration and innovation they have shown.

Minister of State for Skills and Further Education Niall Collins said: “Back in 2022, the Department announced that Clonmel had been chosen as one of a number of locations across the country to develop a further education College of the Future.

“It was an important moment for the county as for too long FET provision in Tipperary has been delivered around different locations.

“But now we are ready to take the next significant step in this exciting process.

“I’m pleased to say that learners, staff and the entire community can now look forward to the development of these barracks into one modern, high-spec premises where everyone will have the opportunity to progress in the best possible facilities,” he added.

MILESTONE MOMENT

Andrew Brownlee, CEO of SOLAS, said: "Today’s capital infrastructure announcement for Tipperary is a milestone moment for FET in Munster that will drive access to education, lifelong learning and workforce transformation in the region.

"This is a proud day for both SOLAS and Tipperary ETB, and most importantly, it’s an exciting day for all of the current and future FET learners in Clonmel and the surrounding areas.

“With one in ten adults in Ireland now learning through FET or apprenticeships, the ongoing development of high-quality college environments in key locations such as Tipperary will play a critical role in meeting the increasing demand for upskilling across our communities,” he said.

Chief Executive of Tipperary ETB, Bernadette Cullen said: “There is growing recognition in Ireland that the tertiary sector provides a real and valuable option for adult learners today. The green light to take our proposed joint tertiary high-quality facilities to detailed design phase will enable Tipperary ETB and TUS to move forward as education partners, making the concept a reality for staff and learners.

“We currently work with over 650 adult learners in Clonmel, and this development is expected to see student numbers grow significantly. Students will be able to seamlessly progress from Further Education to Higher Education, not only in the one town, but in the one facility.

“Thank you to Minister O’Donovan, his Department and SOLAS, for their vision of the FET College of the Future.”

President of TUS, Professor Vincent Cunnane, said: “Collaboration is in the DNA of TUS, and we share in the Minister’s delight at today’s announcement.

PARTNERSHIP

“This is a clear endorsement of the power of partnership in Further and Higher Education, and indeed is an historic juncture for Clonmel and for Further and Higher Education in Ireland, with Clonmel becoming the first home for a co-located further and higher dducation campus.

“We look forward to the next phase in this exciting and pioneering development, which provides capacity to extend and develop our research and teaching capacity. We look forward to continuing our work with our partners, Tipperary ETB, SOLAS and others.

“I would like to congratulate all involved in today’s development, which will be of great benefit not just in the Clonmel area, but far beyond.”