Fine Gael TD Billy Timmins took advantage of last week’s Dáil debate on the Institutes of Technology Bill to renew his call to establish an outreach third level facility at the old Claremont convent in Rathnew.

In his contribution to the debate, Deputy Timmins said:

“My county of Wicklow, which borders many counties and is divided geographically, does not have a third level institution, either a university or an institute of technology. The county is generally served by Carlow, Tallaght, Waterford and Dun Laoghaire. Wicklow county council has taken an initiative to purchase the Claremont educational complex. We are hoping to establish a third level outreach centre with the institute of technology in Carlow and I ask the Minister to give whatever support she can to its establishment.”

“There is endless talk in Co Wicklow nowadays about new town centres and new apartment villages, and it is appropriate that we think of the needs of the young people of the county now and in the future.”

“Such a development would bring increased prosperity to the Wicklow town and Rathnew areas. One has only to think of the difference third level colleges have made to towns such as Carlow, Dundalk, Sligo and Waterford. It’s an established fact that manufacturing industries tend to locate near third level colleges,” concluded Deputy Timmins.