Minister Sanctions €24 Million Building Project

They say that all good things come to those who wait and after a long wait the contracts for the new campus development have been finally signed. Present was recently appointed Minister for Education & Science, Mr. Batt O’Keefe, Professor Peadar Cremin (president of the college ) and Bernard McNamara from Michael McNamara & Co. Building Contractors. Last year former Minister Mary Hanafin announced that she was giving the go ahead to the long awaited continuation of the campus development project at the College. This consists of lecture theatres, learning laboratories, extensive computing facilities, a student centre and a 500-seat multipurpose venue. However, the economy has been experiencing financial difficulties recently and this put the plans in jeopardy. The college argued on the importance of the project declaring that it was critical if the government were to honor their commitments to increase the number of primary teachers thereby reducing class size. A strong case was also made that this new facility would make a valuable and lasting contribution to the Regeneration programme in Limerick. The Minister said “When the second phase is completed, it will bring a total Government investment of just under €40 million in the development and modernization of facilities at MIC. This is a sound, solid investment representing good value for money”.

The development is hoped to be completed in early 2010.