Thomas Pringle TD
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Pringle: Development of ATU will continue to create opportunities for Killybegs

Independent TD for Donegal, Thomas Pringle, said Atlantic Technological University campuses at Killybegs and across the region should be seen as a great asset and given the resources they need to expand and develop.

The deputy has also welcomed Minister Simon Harris’s recognition that the campus at Killybegs has an important role to play in ATU, and his intention to visit the campus in the coming months.

Addressing the Dáil on Thursday, Deputy Pringle said: “I attended the launch of the ATU in my hometown of Killybegs recently and I am very excited about the potential this campus has.

“The catering college has been a huge feature of Killybegs for over 50 years now. Fishing is what Killybegs is known for, but also the catering college has been a huge part of the town’s development.

“It has been known to produce the best people for the tourism, hotel and restaurant industry. It has generated a lot of income to the town and attracts people nationally and internationally,” he said. Many students who come to Killybegs stay in the area, working and starting families there, he said.

Speaking during statements on higher education, Deputy Pringle said: “I am optimistic that the establishment of the ATU will continue to create such opportunities for the area. And I think it should be an integral part of the ATU in its development into the future as well.

“I would hope that the ATU recognises the potential of the Killybegs campus and ensures that it is given the funding and focus necessary to make it a world-class tourism facility, and I would hope also that the ATU recognises Killybegs’ capacity for development and growth.

“I believe that Killybegs has real potential to expand outward, and I would like to see this embraced in a commitment to this going forward,” he said.

Deputy Pringle, who has long called for reform of the Susi grant, also said he supports the minster’s intention “to make it easier for students to access Susi grants and to extend the eligibility and allow part-time students to access supports. However, I believe this also needs to include upskilling courses.People should be given every opportunity to upskill and further their education.

“This would not only benefit the individual, their employer or their industry, but it would also benefit the whole of society. It would especially benefit towns like Killybegs which has great upskilling courses available,” he said.

The deputy said: “It would be a shame for such courses to discontinue due to us failing to see the value of them.”

Deputy Pringle also supported the minister’s plan to reduce the distance for the higher non-adjacent student grant from 45 km to 30 km, saying a change like that would make a great difference for students from and in Killybegs, especially due to the rising cost of petrol.

Deputy Pringle said: “I would hope that the minister continues to ensure all supports necessary are in place for the establishment of the ATU.

“I would also hope that the ATU will ensure that campuses such as Killybegs are being prioritised and ensure that their potential is realised and developed.”

In his response, Minister Harris said he shared Deputy Pringle’s view that the Killybegs campus has potential and that would require investment.

“The Killybegs campus has an important role to play in the Atlantic Technological University,” Minister Harris said. The minister said it was his intention to visit the campus in the summer or at the start of the new academic year.