Further and Higher Education

Thursday, 11 December 2025

Questions (231)

Peter Roche

Question:

231. Deputy Peter Roche asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if a college (details supplied) will be considered eligible for capital investment support; if his Department has examined options to align the college with an appropriate public body or higher education institution in order that it may access such funding; if he will consider facilitating access to capital investment through Atlantic Technological University or another suitable mechanism, in recognition of the college’s contribution to agricultural education and regional development; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [67829/25]

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Written answers

Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science

The college to which the Deputy refers, Mountbellew Agricultural College is a private agricultural training institution which does not receive direct funding from my Department, nor is there any direct oversight by the Department of the operations of the college. My understanding is that the college provides training services, funded by course participants and by Teagasc.

As a private college, the day to day operation of the organisation, including issues surrounding the administration and finances are the responsibility of the college administrators to deal with in line with the college’s own criteria.