04/02/2002
City centre further education facility moves a step closer
On a visit to Belfast Institute for Further and Higher Education, Carmel Hanna, Minister for Employment and Learning, has confirmed that plans to construct a new purpose-built college in Belfast city centre have entered the procurement phase of a Private Finance Initiative (PFI).
The city centre Institute will replace existing facilities in Brunswick Street and College Square East.
Mrs Hanna said: “The Institute’s Director, Professor Patrick Murphy, has briefed me on the progress of this very exciting project being undertaken at one of the largest further education institutes in the UK.
“The proposed new campus on a site yet to be determined, is a further example of ongoing investment in the further education estate. As education and training has a central role to play in the Programme for Government in both social and economic terms, it is important that the best possible infrastructure can be provided.
“The facility at College Square East can claim not only architectural significance but it has also played a pivotal role in the industrial history of Belfast. For almost 100 years, this College been the gateway to employment for literally thousands of apprentices, students and trainees.”
The Minister said she anticipated that a considerable level of interest would be generated from the private sector. The next step in the process, she said, would be the appointment of consultants, later this year, to take the project through procurement.
She added: “This is the second time the Belfast Institute is using PFI as a means of upgrading its facilities across its sites. A new 20,000 square metres purpose-built college is currently under construction at the Millfield Campus.
“This will replace existing accommodation at Millfield and Ormeau, as a means of helping the Institute to achieve their objective to provide modern, appropriate accommodation to its students. It is scheduled to be available to the institute by September 2002.”
Mrs Hanna told Professor Murphy and his Project Board that she looked forward to a successful outcome of this project which is of such importance in the further development of the further education sector.
Professor Murphy said the announcement by the Minister was another indication of the Department’s investment in the education and skills of the people of Northern Ireland.
He said that the Belfast Institute site had been in serious need of investment for a number of years and that the new facilities would provide accommodation that meets the educational needs of the 21st century. (SP)
The city centre Institute will replace existing facilities in Brunswick Street and College Square East.
Mrs Hanna said: “The Institute’s Director, Professor Patrick Murphy, has briefed me on the progress of this very exciting project being undertaken at one of the largest further education institutes in the UK.
“The proposed new campus on a site yet to be determined, is a further example of ongoing investment in the further education estate. As education and training has a central role to play in the Programme for Government in both social and economic terms, it is important that the best possible infrastructure can be provided.
“The facility at College Square East can claim not only architectural significance but it has also played a pivotal role in the industrial history of Belfast. For almost 100 years, this College been the gateway to employment for literally thousands of apprentices, students and trainees.”
The Minister said she anticipated that a considerable level of interest would be generated from the private sector. The next step in the process, she said, would be the appointment of consultants, later this year, to take the project through procurement.
She added: “This is the second time the Belfast Institute is using PFI as a means of upgrading its facilities across its sites. A new 20,000 square metres purpose-built college is currently under construction at the Millfield Campus.
“This will replace existing accommodation at Millfield and Ormeau, as a means of helping the Institute to achieve their objective to provide modern, appropriate accommodation to its students. It is scheduled to be available to the institute by September 2002.”
Mrs Hanna told Professor Murphy and his Project Board that she looked forward to a successful outcome of this project which is of such importance in the further development of the further education sector.
Professor Murphy said the announcement by the Minister was another indication of the Department’s investment in the education and skills of the people of Northern Ireland.
He said that the Belfast Institute site had been in serious need of investment for a number of years and that the new facilities would provide accommodation that meets the educational needs of the 21st century. (SP)
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