Louth TD's welcome funding announcement for local schools and colleges

News of major investment in schools and colleges in Louth has been welcomed this morning by TDs in Louth.

Speaking about the €18.5 million funding announced for DkIT, Dundalk TD Peter Fitzpatrick strongly welcomed the news.

"This is great news for Dundalk and the wider area", said Deputy Fitzpatrick, "the DkIT is a top quality institution which provides a high level of education to so many people.

"I am delighted that they will receive further funding to allow them to continue to provide excellence"

Deputy Fitzpatrick also said, "science and technology is essential for our future and it is so important that we invest in facilities to give our students the best opportunities."

The Government will also be investing in PE halls by modernising old ones and building new ones to ensure all post primary can use state of the art facilities.

Deputy Peter Fitzpatrick said "PE is a mandatory subject in school, I think it’s important that we provide our students with the best facilities.

"Promoting health and fitness at a young age and making it more enjoyable is something that has life-long benefits"

Louth TD Fergus O'Dowd, also welcomed the €18.5m investment announced for the DkIT.

The investment will see a major phased refurbishment and upgrade of the North and South Blocks which house the college's STEM facilities. 

"The works which will also include an expansion of available laboratory space", said Deputy O'Dowd, "will provide for an additional 760 student places, mostly in STEM-related disciplines which are key to our North East region and it's continued expansion of employment in this area."

Deputy O'Dowd said "This is great news for Higher Education in the North East as we enter the final phases of Brexit, we want to have the graduates ready and waiting for relocating companies that choose the North East as the most suitable location for their businesses.

"We have already seen many high level skilled companies choosing County Louth over the last number of years who's businesses are focused on STEM disciplines such as WUXI Biologics, PCI Pharma Services and Almac."

"The works will also create opportunities for further employment on the campus itself for faculty and operations staff which again is great news."