(L to R) Cllr Roger Kennedy, Chair of Tipperary ETB; Bernadette Cullen, Tipperary ETB Chief Executive; Patrick O’Donovan TD; Minister for Further and Higher Education; Jimmy Browne, TUS; Nessa White, SOLAS; Colin Cummins, Tipperary ETB Director of FET.
Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science Patrick O’Donovan TD today announced that Tipperary Education and Training Board has been given the green light to proceed to the next phase of its development of a College of The Future.
The project will see a Government investment of tens of millions of euro to develop the Kickham Military Barracks site in Clonmel, and for the first time create a college which will host both further and higher education students.
Speaking today, Minister O’Donovan said: “I am so delighted to be in Clonmel today to confirm that Tipperary ETB is moving to the next stage in the process of delivering a training campus that the entire region can be proud of.
Minister Patrick O’Donovan walking the site of the proposed FET College of the Future campus at Kickham Barracks in Clonmel.
“In fact, this announcement is especially significant, as this will become the first co-located and fully integrated FET and Higher Education campus in Ireland.
“Tipperary ETB, working closely with Technological University of the Shannon, presented a bold vision to develop Clonmel Connected Campus, and I want to thank them for the collaboration and innovation they have shown.
“This is what we mean when we speak about driving parity of esteem across the tertiary sector – it shouldn’t matter where you live, what you are studying, or whether you are in FET or university. Everyone should have the same opportunity to reach their potential.
(Back row L to R) Cllr John Fitzgerald; Cllr Roger Kennedy, Chair of Tipperary ETB; Jimmy Browne, TUS; Colin Cummins, Tipperary ETB Director of FET; Seamus Hoyne, TUS. (Front row) Cllr Michael Murphy, Mayor of Clonmel Borough District; Patrick O’Donovan TD; Minister for Further and Higher Education; Nessa White, SOLAS; Bernadette Cullen, Tipperary ETB Chief Executive.
“This week we are travelling to a number of different counties to share more good news, but today is all about Tipperary, where I am proud to say we are now taking the next significant step towards redeveloping the barracks.”
Minister of State for Skills and Further Education Niall Collins said: “Back in 2022, the Department announced that Clonmel had been chosen as one of a number of locations across the country to develop a further education College of the Future.
“It was an important moment for the county as for too long FET provision in Tipperary has been delivered around different locations.
“But now we are ready to take the next significant step in this exciting process.
“I’m pleased to say that learners, staff and the entire community can now look forward to the development of these barracks into one modern, high-spec premises where everyone will have the opportunity to progress in the best possible facilities.”
Bernadette Cullen, Chief Executive of Tipperary ETB, speaking at the announcement that the FET College of the Future proposal for Kickham Barracks in Clonmel will now move to the detailed design phase.
Andrew Brownlee, CEO of SOLAS, said: “Today’s capital infrastructure announcement for Tipperary is a milestone moment for FET in Munster that will drive access to education, lifelong learning and workforce transformation in the region.
“This is a proud day for both SOLAS and Tipperary ETB, and most importantly, it’s an exciting day for all of the current and future FET learners in Clonmel and the surrounding areas.
“With one in ten adults in Ireland now learning through FET or apprenticeships, the ongoing development of high-quality college environments in key locations such as Tipperary will play a critical role in meeting the increasing demand for upskilling across our communities.”
Director of Further Education and Training (FET) at Tipperary ETB, Colin Cummins, with Minister for Further and Higher Education, Patrick O’Donovan, at Tipperary ETB’s Kickham Barracks campus in Clonmel.
Chief Executive of Tipperary ETB, Bernadette Cullen said: “There is growing recognition in Ireland that the tertiary sector provides a real and valuable option for adult learners today. The green light to take our proposed joint tertiary high-quality facilities to detailed design phase will enable Tipperary ETB and TUS to move forward as education partners, making the concept a reality for staff and learners.
“We currently work with over 650 adult learners in Clonmel, and this development is expected to see student numbers grow significantly. Students will be able to seamlessly progress from Further Education to Higher Education, not only in the one town, but in the one facility.
“Thank you to Minister O’Donovan, his Department and SOLAS, for their vision of the FET College of the Future.”
Minister Patrick O’Donovan speaking at the announcement that the FET College of the Future proposal for Kickham Barracks in Clonmel will now move to the detailed design phase.
President of TUS, Professor Vincent Cunnane, said: “Collaboration is in the DNA of TUS, and we share in the Minister’s delight at today’s announcement.
“This is a clear endorsement of the power of partnership in Further and Higher Education, and indeed is an historic juncture for Clonmel and for Further and Higher Education in Ireland, with Clonmel becoming the first home for a co-located Further and Higher Education campus.
“We look forward to the next phase in this exciting and pioneering development, which provides capacity to extend and develop our research and teaching capacity. We look forward to continuing our work with our partners, Tipperary ETB, SOLAS and others.
“I would like to congratulate all involved in today’s development, which will be of great benefit not just in the Clonmel area, but far beyond.”
Photos: John Kelly
(L to R) Colin Cummins, Tipperary ETB Director of FET; Cllr John Fitzgerald; Cllr Máirín McGrath, Tipperary ETB Board; Cllr Mary Hanna Hourigan, Tipperary ETB Board Vice-Chair; Cllr Roger Kennedy, Tipperary ETB Board Chair; Bernadette Cullen, Tipperary ETB Chief Executive; Patrick O’Donovan TD, Minister for Further and Higher Education; Jimmy Browne, TUS; Cllr Michael Murphy, Mayor of Clonmel Borough District; Cllr Seán Ryan, Tipperary ETB Board; Sinéad Carr, Tipperary County Council Chief Executive; Cllr Siobhán Ambrose; Cllr Michael Brennan, Tipperary ETB Board; Nessa White, SOLAS.
