Approval granted for Mayo military barracks site to be acquired for new college

A significant development has taken place in respect of multi-million-euro plans to build a College of Further Education and Training on the site of the military barracks in Castlebar.

Mayo Sligo Leitrim Education and Training Board (MSLETB) has been granted approval to enter into a formal negotiation process with Mayo County Council in regard to acquiring the site.

The decision was taken following an evaluation process.

Late last year the board submitted a business case to SOLAS to support the purchase of the site for the third-level facility.

The project will be supported under the FET College of the Future Major Projects fund.

The proposal is one of twelve projects that are currently being progressed under this fund.

MSLETB’s proposal involves providing a state of the art, purpose-built college building on the military barracks site, which will allow for training in diverse fields such as agricultural technology, life sciences, digital technology and applied research and skills, providing high-quality facilities for learners and staff.

Minister for Higher Education James Lawless stated: "SOLAS and officials from my department will continue to support MSLETB through the next stage of the development of its proposal.

"My department and I remain committed to ensuring there is appropriate infrastructure in place to meet the needs of FET learners and teaching staff in the Mayo area and broader region."