Assurances given to TD over Killybegs' critical role within ATU

Killybegs based Donegal TD, Thomas Pringle, says that he has received assurances that the Killybegs campus will play a critical role within the Atlantic Technological University (ATU) family and that a regional campus support fund was to be established soon.

Speaking in the Dáil on Tuesday evening, Deputy Pringle asked Minister Simon Harris how he saw the potential for development of the Killybegs tourism college campus within the remit of the ATU, and whether an application for funding had been made in relation to it.

Deputy Pringle said: “As you’ve outlined, it is true that Killybegs has the tradition of the culinary arts sector and has done very well in that and has a very high reputation going back years.”

The deputy said: “I think that needs to be fostered and developed a bit more as well and that funding could do that.”

Deputy Pringle said the work of the Killybegs campus within the marine cluster is also very significant, “and shows potential for the future and the future development of the college, so that is very important and I am glad to see it is integral to your own thinking.”

The deputy said the Killybegs campus also has a very important role in enabling students to return to third-level education, saying he knows people who returned to education 20 to 30 years later.

Deputy Pringle said: “The ability for people to go back into further education and restart their education is very significant and I think the college would have a huge role to play in that,” adding, “I would like to see that continue on and develop over the next couple of years.”

During their exchange, Minister Harris also said the ATU Killybegs campus plays an important part in delivering on ATU’s education and innovation mission in Donegal and in the region and has played a particularly critical role in providing skills for the tourism sector. He said he understands from ATU that there are plans to further develop the Killybegs campus contribution to the food science discipline.

The minister said the campus also plays a critical role in the economic development of Killybegs and the wider region. He said the ATU has been very clear on the important role that the Killybegs campus is playing and will play.