Consultation on Barracks site ‘well underway’

Consultation regarding future development of the former Dun Ui Neill Barracks site, now a Cavan Institute campus on the Dublin Road is “well underway” according to Director of Cavan Institute Ann Marie Lacey. Following Martin O’Brien’s (Cavan and Monaghan Education and Training Board CEO,) demand for the process last week, input has been swift in coming from relevant stakeholders.

Having only launched a five-year Strategic Plan back in 2011, already the purchase of the decommissioned barracks has played a huge role in realising part of those objectives which sought to develop sports facilities as part of the Institute. A subsequent signing of a memorandum of understanding with Cavan County GAA Board- with the support of Croke Park- has added to that. Ms Lacey told The Anglo-Celt: “The barracks is a great asset to Cavan Institute, and Cavan, and Cavan and Monaghan Education and Training Board and, at present, it is being used by students on a range of courses, as well as other stakeholders.

“The consultation process regarding its future development is well underway. We have already sought input from staff and the Board of Management, students, local businesses, community groups, third level Institutes and other stakeholders. We are very excited about the prospects of expanding our training remit on that facility.”

The Department of Education’s purchase the 16-acre Dun Ui Neill site in September 2012 also included planning permission to further develop the former military site, however no funding has been allocated by the Department of Education for works.

 

Vision

Mr O’Brien, who became CEO after Cavan and Monaghan VEC’s amalgamated in July told the Celt that deciding whether to operate from one campus or two was the way forward. He said that how the college influenced the future development of the town was key to the success of the consultation process. Aside from the main Institute campus on Cathedral Road and the former Dun Ui Neill campus on the Dublin Road, the College also rents a number of premises including an apartment block at Hampton Court, used by administration and leased for 35-years with rent at €205,000 per year.

Mr O’Brien said: “If we can come up with the straight forward vision in the best interests of the Institute and the town, then we will find the answers coming to us very quickly.”

 

Revised remit

Ms Lacey agrees. She said in the Strategic Plan (2011-2016) the Institute had at the time already identified the potential of opportunities for the Institute to expand on its training provision in light of the revised remit of Cavan and Monaghan ETB.

“It is important to remember that during the development process for the strategic plan, we engaged in a high level of consultation with local businesses and industry in the region, as well as community, education and other stakeholders.

“Cavan Institute has evolved over the last 30 years by identifying and addressing local education and training needs and by responding to local and regional skills shortages. Cavan Town has become our campus, and over the years our students have contributed hugely to the social, cultural and economic development of the town.

“The acquisition and development of the barracks signals the next chapter in Cavan Institute’s success story building on a multi-dimensional approach to the development of accommodation and facilities at Cavan Institute”, she added