Fine Gael senator Paddy Burke has outlined a number of developments in building a sustainable future for the Castlebar campus of GMIT.
Senator Burke said the appointment of an external facilitator and a recruitment campaign for a head of campus will begin in the coming weeks.
Senator Burke said: “I have been informed by Government colleagues that the Higher Education Authority is scheduling a meeting with the president of GMIT to give an update on the recommendations to develop a sustainable future for the Castlebar campus.
“Minister Mary Mitchell O’Connor published a report last December which had 33 recommendations for the future of the campus.
“The HEA will meet with the GMIT president by the end of May to provide a detailed progress report on implementation of these recommendations.
“The appointment of an external facilitator who will oversee the transition to the new structural and operational arrangements is a significant recommendation.
“The facilitator will play an important role in supporting the implementation of a number of the other working group recommendations.
“I have been informed that the procurement of this expertise will be initiated within the next week. I have also been informed that the recruitment campaign for the head of campus will be initiated by GMIT within the next two weeks.”
Senator Burke continued: “As announced previously, the Department of Education and Skills has ring-fenced €750,000 in funding for the campus over the next five years.
“This additional funding is contingent on GMIT progressing the implementation of the recommendations of the report and is subject to regular review by the HEA. The Department is also providing funding to deal with deficiencies in the roof of one of the buildings on the Castlebar campus.
“I look forward to the implementation of two of these important recommendations over the coming weeks and continuing to work towards a sustainable future for the Castlebar campus of GMIT.”
