Multi-Million Euro Funding Announcement for new Education Campus at Cavan Institute

Cavan and Monaghan Education and Training Board is delighted to announce that the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, Simon Harris T.D. has confirmed that funding has been specifically earmarked to deliver a major new state-of-the-art Education Campus for Cavan Institute.

Speaking to local radio on Wednesday 23rd February 2022, Minister for Rural and Community Development and Social Protection, Heather Humphreys T.D. stated that she was delighted that this Multi-million Euro investment has been ‘ringfenced to deliver a major new state-of-the-art Education Campus for Cavan Institute’ and the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science will now be inviting Cavan and Monaghan Education and Training Board to submit plans for this flagship project.

Cavan Institute together with Dunboyne Institute will be the first big investment of Further Education Colleges and this is recognition of the important role that Cavan Institute plays in providing education in this region, they work very hard in providing a wide range of training and upskilling courses and apprenticeships.

Minister Humphreys also paid tribute to Mr. John Kearney, the Chief Executive of Cavan and Monaghan Education and Training Board (CMETB) for his dedication in progressing this project and developing first-class education facilities across both counties, highlighting that there is currently over €100 million worth of investment underway in Education facilities in the two counties and this would not be happening but for the great work of CMETB and its Chief Executive. Minister Humphreys continued by thanking Mr. Kearney for his work in Cavan and Monaghan and wishing him well in his future role as Chief Executive of the National Council for Special Education.  This funding will be a significant step forward for Cavan Institute and Further Education in the wider region with the hope that the new campus will be located on the existing site, with engineers currently completing investigative works.

John Kearney, Chief Executive, Cavan and Monaghan Education and Training Board, welcomed the announcement: ‘This is fantastic news for Cavan Institute, CMETB and the region. This announcement furthers the progress that we have made over the last number of years reaffirming CMETB’s commitment to serving the education community and providing quality learning environments in the region and is recognition of the excellent teaching and learning underway in both counties’.

Director of Cavan Institute, Ann Marie Lacey also commented on the funding announcement: ‘This is wonderful news and is welcomed by all at Cavan Institute. We look forward to the commencement of this project that will serve to reinforce the vital role that Cavan Institute has in providing further education and training in this region.

Councillor Clifford Kelly, Cathaoirleach of Cavan County Council and Chairperson of Cavan Institute’s Board of Management also welcomed the funding stating that ‘I am delighted with today’s announcement, which serves to further acknowledge the good work that Cavan Institute continues to provide in Further Education in the region and I look forward to this exciting development.’

Chairperson of Cavan and Monaghan Education and Training Board, Councillor Colm Carthy welcomed the news stating: ‘This is another good-news announcement for Cavan and Monaghan Education and Training Board with funding secured for the delivery of further capital works for Cavan Institute. This will see the delivery of a state-of-the-art campus for the region and allow for many of our young people to stay close to home while receiving a third-level education; it will also encourage many more students, from outside the region, to choose Cavan as their education hub.’

Cavan Institute has grown from strength to strength and I want to pay a special word of thanks to the staff and student body for all their continued hard work. I would also like to commend the staff and executive of CMETB for their dedication to bringing continued success.’

Mr. Joe McGrath, Chairperson of the FET Board, CMETB also welcomed the news stating  ‘I am delighted to welcome this long overdue funding announcement by Minister Simon Harris T.D. for a new Education Campus at Cavan Institute. As someone who works in Further Education and Training, I fully appreciate the intrinsic value to students, teachers and its impact in the wider community and economy of acquiring a new 21st century ‘FET College of the Future’. As chairperson of the FET Board, I wish to add my congratulations to all involved in achieving this fantastic announcement. My congratulations also to Director Ann Marie Lacey and her staff at Cavan Institute.’

Director of Further Education and Training at CMETB, Dr. Linda Pinkster stated, ‘This funding is great news for Cavan Institute and CMETB and will further enhance the quality teaching and learning that is currently taking place at Cavan Institute.’