Progress made on GMIT issue - Kenny
SIGNIFICANT progress has been made towards securing the future of GMIT in Castlebar says Mayo Fine Gael TD Enda Kenny.
A statement issued by Deputy Kenny this morning highlighted how earlier this year he and Minister for Education Richard Bruton established a working group with the specific objective of safeguarding the long-term future of the Castlebar campus of GMIT.
The working group, which will report to the Higher Education Authority in September, has met four times since its establishment in March this year.
Said Deputy Kenny: “I am very pleased with the progress made by the working group so far. The working group has been engaging with key local stakeholders with a view to securing a sustainable future for the Castlebar campus.
“The working group has now concluded its initial consultation phase and will begin to draft a plan for the future of the campus.
“The working group will report to the finance committee of the HEA by end September. Following approval by the HEA, the report will then be submitted to the Department of Education and Skills.”
Minister Bruton and the Minister for Higher Education, Mary Mitchell O’Connor, have welcomed the significant progress being made by the working group.
Minister Bruton commented: “To ensure the long term future of the Castlebar campus, the working group has consulted with a wide range of stakeholders. I would like to thank all of those who have contributed to the process to date and who have given so much of their time and commitment to support the working group.
“These consultations will inform the action plan that will be developed for the future of the Castlebar campus.”
Minister O’Connor expressed her satisfaction at the progress being made: “I am confident that the working group will develop a plan by end September that will provide a road map for the future of the Castlebar campus of GMIT. This will require continued commitment from all of those who have engaged with the working group to date. All of the stakeholders involved, as well as the HEA and my own department, will have an important role to play in shaping the development of this strategy and then assisting in its implementation.”
The chair and president of GMIT have affirmed the commitment of the Institute to finding a viable development plan for the Mayo campus.
In order to underline the commitment to the future of the Castlebar campus, the working group has received assurances from GMIT that no further operational decisions will be taken by GMIT that would impact on its work. This includes an assurance that no further programmes will be discontinued on the Mayo campus, and that the protections in relation to the agreed arrangements contained in the public service agreements in relation to redeployment will continue to apply while the working group is preparing its report.