There has been widespread welcome to the news that Athlone Institute of Technology is to receive a €750,000 grant which will allow it to undertake necessary improvement works, address any health and safety concerns, and upgrade equipment and IT facilities.
The funding is part of a €10 million grant for the country’s 14 Institutes of Technology, announced this week by Minister for Education and Skills Richard Bruton, to address their most critical needs. It is being made by the Department of Education and Skills through the Higher Education Authority.
Independent TD, Deputy Kevin ‘Boxer’ Moran warmly welcomed the announcement, saying it would contribute to the future expansion of the institute.
“There are currently 5,700 full-time and part-time students in AIT and the institute has ambitious plans to expand student numbers by up to 40 per cent. Athlone IT is fast developing a growing reputation for the courses it delivers across its four schools of business, engineering, humanities, and science.
“This is the third year in a row that such funding has been approved and reflects the Government’s commitment to addressing the most urgent infrastructural needs among the Institutes of Technology,” added Deputy Moran.
Fine Gael’s Deputy Peter Burke said the €10 million funding is “a hugely important investment for the sector”.
“The €10 million grant will be divided among the Institutes of Technology on the basis of their enrolments. AIT is in the band which has received the second highest amount. [It] is growing and going from strength to strength and I am glad that investment continues to be sustained by Fine Gael,” he said.
